On Saturday night, March 14, 2015 at 11:50pm, Virginia Forbes, of Campfield Church Road, Ellenboro, departed this earthly home for her Heavenly home to spend eternity.

She was born in Avondale, NC, on December 21, 1916 to the late William P. and Mamie Jones Biggerstaff. She graduated from Lattimore High School in Lattimore, NC in 1932 as Valedictorian of her class. She attended Abingdon Business College in Virginia and continued her studies at Kings Business College, Shelby, NC, graduating with honors.

She married Manley P. Forbes, July 25, 1936. Her career was extensive having worked at Cone Mills Corporation - Cliffside Plant as Office Clerk for 30 plus years. She joined Bethel Baptist Church, Ellenboro, NC in 1942. She was the church secretary at Bethel for 21 years. She taught the Virginia Forbes Sunday School Class for more than 50 years. In 1980, she became Bethel Baptist Church's Diamond Set Senior Tour Director until 2001. She was also honored to be elected as Mrs. Rutherford County.

She was predeceased by her father, mother and her husband, Manley, son, Joe, grandson, Keith, and sisters, Pattie Lee Doty and Margaret Lail.

She leaves to cherish her memories, two sons, Bob and wife Joyce, Jack and wife Sharon; grandchildren, Ronnie Forbes, Tanya Crabtree and Lauren Forbes; one great grandchild, Dillon Gettys, and three great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews, and a host of relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm-8:00pm on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at McKinney-Landreth & Carroll Funeral and Cremation Service. The funeral services will be held at 3:00pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at Bethel Baptist Church of Ellenboro with the Rev. Michael Sepaugh, Rev. Dr. Wayne Blackwood and Rev. Scott Huffman officiating. Burial will follow in the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family would like to express deep appreciation to Martha Simpson and Renee Randall.

Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or Bethel Baptist Church, PO Box 633, Ellenboro, NC 28040.


McKinney-Landreth & Carroll Funeral and Cremation Service is serving the Forbes family.