Reverend Nathan Wesley Forrister, Sr., age 88, of Bremen passed away on Sunday, April 14, 2024. He was born in Cedartown on October 12, 1935.
Reverend Forrister was the son of the late, J. Coleman Forrister and the late, Liddell (Evans) Forrister.
In addition to his parents, Reverend Forrister is preceded in death by his brothers, James Coleman Forrister, Jr. and Edward Darrell Forrister; and by four sisters, Mae Dell Stephens, Mary Ellen Brown, Molinda Jeanette “Lynn” Ingram, and Mollie Liddell Forrister.
Reverend Forrister was a 1955 graduate of Cedartown High School. He furthered his education by earning his Master’s Degree at American Bible School in Pineland, Florida and completing a course in Greek at West Georgia College. Reverend Forrister was a member of Cedartown Church of God and a Minister of the Gospel. His 58-year Pastorate included Scottsville: October 1957-January 1958, Atlanta (Westside) Associate: January 1958-March 1959, Cartersville: March 1959-Jan.1961, Evangelized: Jan.1961-July 1961, Tennille: July 1961-May 1965, Bainbridge: May1965-November 1966, Dahlonega: November 1966-September 1970, Rockmart: September 1970 – September 1978, Bremen: September 1978 t– July 1981, LaGrange (Westside): July 1981-January 1984, Hollywood Grove: January 1984 – May 1991, Bowdon: May 1991-June 2000, District Line Associate: September 2000 – January 2001, Buchanan Associate: January 2001 – December 2003, District Line United Methodist Church: December 2003 – June 2010, Buchanan Associate: 2010 – 2015.
In earlier years, Reverend Forrister was active in Rotary International, being a member of the Bremen Rotary Club and a Past President of the Rockmart Rotary Club. He also served a number of years on the Church of God Licensing Board of North Georgia.
For forty-five years of his life, Reverend Forrister was an avid golfer, teaching his grandsons how to play. In addition to golf, he was a college football fan and loved watching Atlanta Braves Baseball. Reverend Forrister was also known for his musical talents, the foundation of which began in High School, playing the trumpet and tuba. He later taught himself how to play the guitar, the piano, and the organ.
His musical talents extended further with his ability to sing. Many will remember his renditions of “How Great Thou Art” and “Ship Ahoy” for years to come.
Reverend Forrister was loved and cherished by his family and his many friends. He will be greatly missed.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of sixty-nine years, Gwendolyn (Burnette) Forrister of Bremen; his son and daughter-in-law, Nathan W. Forrister, Jr. and Tammy Forrister of Bremen; his daughter and son-in-law, Naomi and Michael Moore of Bremen; his sister, Texieann Broadway of Cedartown; his grandchildren and their spouses, Amanda(Jessie) Beaver, Anne Forrister(Chris Massey), Justin(Angela) Moore, James(Chelsie) Moore, and Joseph(Shannon) Moore. Reverend Forrister is also survived by fourteen great-grandchildren, four great great-grandchildren, and a number of other relatives.
The family will receive friends at Hutcheson-Croft Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, from 5P.M. until 8P.M.
Funeral services will be conducted on Thursday, April 18, 2024, at 2P.M. from Cedartown Church of God with Reverend Jerald Eaves and Pastor Justin Grant officiating.
Reverend Forrister will lie in state at the Church on Thursday, prior to the service, from 1P.M. until the funeral hour.
Interment will follow in Northview Cemetery in Cedartown with Justin Moore, James Moore, Joseph Moore, Micah Starnes, Jessie Beaver, and Darren Pollard serving as pallbearers.
Floral arrangements are appreciated, or in lieu of flowers, a donation can be made “In Memory of Rev. Wesley Forrister” to Cedartown Church of God, 448 West Ave. Cedartown, GA 30125.
Messages of condolence can be made to the family by signing the online Tribute Wall at www.croftfuneralhome.com .
Hutcheson-Croft Funeral Home of Temple is entrusted with the arrangements.
Litesey Funeral Home of Cedartown is honored to make this announcement on behalf of Hutcheson-Croft Funeral Home and the family of Rev. Nathan Wesley Forrister, Sr.
