James Cleveland Forest, Sr.

James Cleveland Forest, Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather passed away on March 23, 2023. He had a multitude of incurable ailments. However, it was end-stage renal failure that provided the surcease of pain for him. James left us at the young age of 79. He took his last breath while sleeping in his own bed at his home in Lithonia, GA.

Duty, loyalty, decency, reliability, honor, dignity, respect: these are all qualities that James not only held in high esteem but practiced daily.

He was born in Belle Glade, Florida on February 15, 1944, to Naiomi (Crane) and David Forest. He now resides in heaven with his mother (Naiomi), stepmother (Bertice), father (David), brother (Benny), and sister (Mary Jane) who all preceded him in death.

As a child, James moved to Youngstown, Ohio where his father David and his stepmother Bertice Forest raised him. He graduated from South High School, and then joined the Navy after graduation. While serving his country, James received several honors for acts of bravery during the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Navy as an AT1/E6 (Petty Officer), he joined the Navy Reserves. James proudly served his country for 18 years. During that time, he met his future wife, Marlin Yancey, at a New Years Eve party at the behest of Marlin’s cousin Patricia Hall (blind date). Shortly thereafter, they were married (~10 months).

During his civilian years, James worked in the telecommunications field. He started out at Ohio Bell, transferred to AT&T during divestiture, and retired from AT&T after 40+ years. Instead of relaxing, James then worked for Allegiance and Level 3 (Telecom companies).

They raised four children who contributed greatly to the increasing number of gray hairs in their heads over the years: Duane Forest, Natasha Forest Moaney (Bobby), Nataliese Forest, and James C. Forest, Jr., (Louvenia). In addition to his children, James Sr., leaves behind his wife, Marlin Forest, ten grandchildren: Darell Forest, Kamryn Forest, Patrick Lai-Fang, Imani Forest, Christopher Brown, Tariq Forest, Xavier Brown, Katelynn Forest, and Amirah Forest, Daniel Forest, de'Lana Robinson, ke'Anna Robinson; great-grandson, Cai A. Brown; sister-in- laws: Arelene Fuller (Clarence), Priscilla (Charles), Leona Mitchell, Velma Avery, ~30 nieces and nephews, specifically: Anitra Forest, Benny Forest, Jr.; Sabrina Mikel, Vicki Avery, Lashaunda Yancey, Jawaun Hightower, Jamar Hightower, Camille Burton and a host of other family members and friends.

James loved Marvel and DC comic books—especially the X-Men, which he passed on to all of his children. His comic book collection was epic!

James was loved and respected by all who knew him and will be sorely missed.