Forestine Taylor

(From Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home)

Forestine Taylor was born June 8, 1946, to Lucius Johnson and Hollis Caldwell Sims in Chetopa, Kansas. Forestine entered eternal rest on July 31, 2024, surrounded by her loving family.

Forestine grew up in Chetopa and graduated from Chetopa High School in 1964. After graduation she worked in Colorado for a while before she returned to Chetopa. She left again to go live with her father in Kansas City.

On December 9, 1968, Forestine was united in marriage to Walter J. Taylor, Jr. They soon became a blended family with Audrey and James welcoming Charlotte, Norma, Walter III, and Wayne. Wayne only lived three days. Due to Walter’s untimely early death, Forestine was widowed at an early age. She soon realized she would be the main provider for her growing family.

Forestine attended cosmetology school in Joplin and received her license. She worked for a while in some beauty salons before finding employment at the B.F. Goodrich plant in Miami. From there she was employed at the ammunition plant in Parsons where she worked until all her children graduated high school. Forestine was employed these last 20 years plus at Walmart in Joplin. She retired in 2023. She was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Joplin, Missouri.

Forestine had lived in Joplin for the last 26 years. She survived the tornado of 2011 where she lost her home. Her children were always the main focus of her life. She worked hard to provide a good living for them. She raised her children in St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Chetopa. They all sang in the choir, too.

Forestine was preceded in death by her parents, Lucius Johnson and Hollis Sims, infant son Wayne Taylor, sisters Geraldine Whitmire, Norma Jean Meredith, Lennie Jones, and brothers Jimmy Jones and Lawrence Robert.

She is survived by her children Audrey, James, Charlotte, Norma, and Walter III (Marsha). A sister Sarah Redmond. Grandchildren Justin Micheal Taylor (Latisha), Devin James Taylor (Meghan), Eddie Garcia (Mackensie), Kierra Robinson (Isaiah), Ashlynn Marie Stevens (Jeremy), Bridgett Bassett, and RaNeesha Williams (Rylie). Special cousins Bernice Holly (Rick), Leroy Parks (Kay), and Rodney Armstrong. A host of great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends.

The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 10, 2024, at Community Bible Church in Chetopa. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 9, at the Community Bible Church, Chetopa.

Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.