Ruth G. Forehand, age 81, passed from this life to a glorious new life, on Monday, October 19, 2009, surrounded by her loving family. She will be deeply missed by her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, family and friends.
Ruth Grierson Forehand was the daughter of Thomas Edward Grierson and Maude McLeod Grierson of Moss Point, Mississippi. On the 20th of April 1947, she married the love of her life, Durward Keith Forehand, (DK) of Enterprise, Alabama. They were married for 56 years. Ruth and DK were the founders of Custom Floors, Inc. for 53 years and worked side by side, serving Bay County and surrounding areas in the retail and commercial flooring business.
Ruth was a member of many civic organizations in Bay County. She was past-President of BPO Does Drove 180, Order of Eastern Star 262, Daughters of the Nile 155, and the Shaddai Shrine Beep-beepers, and many camping groups.
She is survived by her loving family of two daughters and a son, Kathryn McNabb and husband Leslie of Panama City, Suzanne Wood and husband Bill of Port St. Joe, FL, and Keith Forehand II and wife, Martha Burdick Forehand of Panama City. She was known as Mimi to her loving grandchildren: Leslyn McNabb Swain and husband Robert of Atlanta, GA, Kristian Richbourg and wife Natalie, Lauren Forehand Kolmetz and husband Brandon, Karen Forehand, and Robert "Bo" Forehand all of Panama City, and Ryan Wood of Port St. Joe, FL. The little loves of her life are her great grandsons, Cooper Kolmetz, Luke Swain, and Trent Foxworth.
Also surviving is sister-in-law and dear friend, June Forehand of Lynn Haven, FL, sisters-in-law, Louella Grierson, and Gladys Grierson of Moss Point, MS, Peggy Posey of Huntsville, AL, and Ann and husband, David Ginn of Gulf Shores, AL, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Wilson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Steven Gregg officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 5 – 7 p.m.
A special thanks to Lisa Melvin, Ruth's loving friend and caregiver. Also to Dr. Owen Oksanen, all staff and employees of GlenCove Nursing Pavilion, and to Covenant Hospice.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to BPO Does Drove 180, 101 W Beach Drive, Panama City, FL 32401 or to the Shaddai Transportation Fund, 1101 W 19th Street, Panama City, FL 32405 in memory of Ruth Forehand.
Wilson Funeral Home
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