Francis Joe Forrest

Francis Joe Forrest, 76, of Hamburg, passed away June 12, 2019, at the Landmark Nursing and Rehab Center in West Monroe, LA. He was born in Crossett on December 26, 1942, to his parents, Claude and Helen Tucker Forrest, and was a member of Egypt Missionary Baptist Church and the NRA.

Joe served in the United States Navy and was a Veteran of the Vietnam War.  Upon returning from Vietnam, he began driving trucks for Georgia Pacific which continued until his retirement in 2005.

Joe enjoyed woodcrafts, especially building birdhouses, and loved working in his garden and generously sharing his bounty of vegetables with his family and friends.  He was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, paint houses, fix lawnmowers, and travel. He was a sweet and caring man who loved his grandchildren dearly. 

Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by two brothers, Bobby Lamar Forrest, and Johnny Ray Forrest; one half-brother, E.C. Forrest; and one grandson, Austin Thames.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Alice Faye Benson Forrest of Hamburg; two daughters, Kimberly Thames and significant other, Tony Wilkes, of Rayville, LA, and Rosa Bolin and husband, Steve, of New Albany, MS; one son, Michael Scott Forrest of Hamburg; two sisters, Becky Jean Thompson and husband, Tommy, and Shirley Ann Jeffers also of Hamburg; six grandchildren, Dillon Ray Thames, Timothy and Bryson Forrest, Naiz McNeill and husband, Brett,  Jana Williams and husband, Shelby, Stevi French and husband, Steven; and one great-grandchild, Beau McNeill. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 15th at Egypt Missionary Baptist Church, 563 Ashley Road 95 in Hamburg with Pastor Keith Rose officiating, followed by interment at Egypt Cemetery under the direction of Medders Funeral Home.  Pallbearers are Tommy Thompson, Tony Craig, James Austin, Tony Wilkes, Steve Bolin, and Jimmy Meeks. 

Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Friday, June 14th, also at Egypt Missionary Baptist Church.

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