By Staff
Edison Lancelot Forsyth, 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Raleigh, NC on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.
A memorial service will be held Friday, November 13, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Hayes Barton United Methodist Church -2209 Fairview Road – with the Rev. Rick Clayton officiating. The family will receive friends following the service.
Born in Henderson, NC on June 8, 1927; he was the son of the late Ira Clyde and Myrtle Whitby Forsyth.
Mr. Forsyth was a graduate of Henderson High School. He volunteered for the Navy V-5 flight program and was assigned to the U.S. Naval Air Station in Memphis, TN for flight training. Following the end of WWII, he was discharged from the Navy with the rank of Aviation Cadet. Mr. Forsyth attended NC State University, Hampden-Sydney College and Duke University.
Mr. Forsyth was employed for several years by the American Agricultural Chemical Company in Henderson, before joining the NC Farm Bureau Insurance Company. After 32 years with the company, he retired in 1992 after having served as Claims Supervisor for eastern North Carolina before being promoted to the position he held for 20 years as Operations Manager in Raleigh.
A beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather and uncle, he is survived by his son: James Edison Forsyth and wife Melissa, of Raleigh: daughter: Dr. Scarlett Forsyth Bryant, of Washington, NC and their mother: Sarah Hobgood Forsyth. He will also be fondly remembered by his four grandchildren: James Bedford Bryant II (wife Anna) of Greensboro, Douglas Edison Bryant (wife, Leslie), Sara Baker Bryant and Ashlea Dixon Fields (husband Chuck) all of Raleigh. Four great-grandchildren who survive are Mackenzie Bryant, Katie Bryant, Lucy Bryant and Brooke Fields. Mr. Forsyth is survived by several nieces and nephews. He also leaves his faithful and constant feline companion, Callie.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Clyde Roland Forsyth and Dr. Carl Winston Forsyth and a special cousin Ruthie Forsyth Roberts Duke.
Ed, as he was known to his friends, was an active member of Hayes Barton United Methodist Church and enjoyed the love and fellowship he shared with his Bible study groups and the ACC Sunday School Class. He was very proud of his 15 years of volunteer service with Meals on Wheels and the friendships that developed with his partners over the years.
Ed will be remembered for his love of God, his devotion to his family and his compassion for his fellow man. He loved fishing with his Farm Bureau friends and he was especially fond of taking his grandsons on fishing outings and teaching them how to fish. His granddaughters came to love and appreciate his humor and dry wit during the many hours spent together at football games, on trips, or simply enjoying each others’ company. He shared many of his childhood memories with them and always found a way to bring in stories of the Great Depression and his military service during WWII. He was an inspiration to all who were fortunate enough to know him.
The family expresses the utmost appreciation to Dr. David Kent Millward and Dr. D. Alan Hayes for their compassionate care, to Rev. Rick Clayton, the ACC Sunday School Class, and the Disciple Bible School group for their abundant love and support. Also appreciated is the excellent care provided by his Hospice Team members, Dorian Hinson, Sandy Kahan, and Joycelin Thompson.
…and the time of my departure has come. I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:6-7
Thank you God for letting him be our daddy and granddaddy.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation -1332 North Halstead Street, Suite 201 – Chicago, IL 60642 or to Hayes Barton United Methodist Church – 2209 Fairview Road – Raleigh, NC 27608.
Online condolences to www.mitchellraleighmemorial.com
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