Robert E. Forrest, 1911-2003

  Like Timothy, whose faith was inherited from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, Robbie Forrest inherited his faith in Christ from his grandfather Elkanah and his mother Cotha. Elkanah Diggs, a Confederate veteran and the very image of a grizzled old soldier, spent part of Robbie’s growing up years with his family in Poquoson. The old man was hard of hearing and prayed every morning very loudly with a booming voice that could be heard all over the house. From them also he inherited a lifelong devotion to the United Methodist Church, to whose ministry he felt called as a young man living in "Bull Island."

  After graduating from Randolph-Macon College (B.A.) and Emory University (B.D.), Robbie entered the ministry of the Virginia Conference in 1934, serving the Essex-King and Queen Charge. For 44 years thereafter, along with his wife Anne Lewis Forrest of Hampton, whom he married in 1938, he served churches on the Eastern Shore and in Virginia Beach, West Point, Lynchburg, Northern Virginia, and Richmond. They had three children — Nancy Foltz of Sterling and Robert Forrest of Charlottesville who are active in their local churches; the Rev. David Forrest is a member of the Virginia Conference.

  These reminiscences of his longtime friend and colleague in the ministry, Jim Reynolds of Roanoke, help to demonstrate the kind of man he was:

  "In 1960, Robbie was among those elected to membership on the conference Board of Christian Social Concerns, no doubt having been nominated because of his courageous stands on social issues. He was named to the executive committee. This was the time when lunch counter sit-ins were taking place across the South. When the board president inquired of the executive committee who should be sought as speaker to the board’s report to the 1961 annual conference, no doubt he expected some "safe personality" would be suggested. Rather, Robbie spoke up and recommended the Rev. Floyd Bentley’s daughter. She was one of two Randolph-Macon Women’s College students who had earlier made the news participating in a sit-in in Lynchburg.

  At the conference session, the two students were presented, and Miss Bentley gave her testimony about her action. But Bishop Garber, the soul of courtesy, did not rise from his chair to greet her! Moreover, the conference minutes excluded any mention of her. This was the electrically charged atmosphere in which Robbie courageously acted. It is no wonder that he was appointed to serve churches in Northern Virginia.

  He was a strong and courageous preacher throughout his ministry. He was a dear friend, and I count it a privilege to have served in ministry with him."

  Robert Forrest was a dedicated Christian and pastor all his long years. He died on July 23, 2003, at the age of 91.