Patrica Forrest

Published 2:09 pm Wednesday, January 8, 2025

June 3, 1967 – December 31, 2024

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Patrica Lee Forrest on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born April 4, 1943 in Cassopolis, Michigan to Theron and Cora (Lucas) Hunt, and grew up in a close-knit family with nine siblings. She was a devoted wife to Eddie Forrest, whom she was married June 3, 1967. Together they built a life full of love, family, and faith over almost sixty years.

Patrica graduated from Southwestern Michigan and served as a nurse for over forty years, dedicating her career to caring for others. She started at Lee Memorial Hospital in Dowagiac and simultaneously worked at Cass County Medical Care Facility in Cassopolis, Michigan. She added to her work schedule at Cardinal Nursing Home in South Bend, Indiana. She retired as the lead nurse for CCP which held a contract with the Marion County Jail for fourteen years. Beyond her professional life, she answered her calling as an evangelist, sharing her faith and compassion with everyone she met.

Her determination and dedication to her work was acknowledged by her being featured in Ebony Magazine in December 1965 for her role as an operator of the arc bender machine at Japhia Manufacturing in Cassopolis, Michigan. Patricia was a woman of great faith, courage, and resilience, exemplified by her loving spirit, feisty nature, and ability to forgive and uplift those around her.

Known as the backbone of her family, Patrica balanced stern discipline with unwavering love and support. She believed in the power of education and encouraged everyone to strive for excellence. She cherished her role as a caregiver and opened her home to countless others.

A dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Patrica leaves behind a legacy of love through her husband, Eddie Forrest I, fourteen children, Eddie Forrest II of Indianapolis, Indiana, Eric Forrest Sr. of South Bend, Indiana, Eliot (Erin) Forrest of Peoria, Illinois, Elise Forrest of Jacksonville, Florida, Ethan (Brooke) Forrest of Logansport, Indiana, Elayna Hudson of Princeton, Texas, Denisha Forrest of Indianapolis, Indiana, Darrien Forrest, Marcellus Forrest, Isaac Forrest, Elijah Forrest, Mikel Forrest, all of Niles, Michigan, Micha Forrest of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Tarisha Boyd of Fort Worth, Texas; forty-two grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; two sisters, Dottie Alford of Indianapolis, Indiana, Sharon Doss of Whitestown, Indiana; and a host of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her siblings, Theron Hunt, Lavina Evans, Lola Ktabo, Carol Davis, Joseph Hunt, Charles Hunt, Douglas Hunt, and Deborah Sammuel.

Patrica will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family, friends, and community.

Family and friends will gather Saturday, January 11, 2025 from 12:30 p.m. until time of service at 1:30 p.m. in Church of Cassopolis, 520 Pearl Street, Cassopolis, Michigan. Patricia will be laid to rest in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Cassopolis.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Connelly Chapel, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

Rest in peace, Wife, Mom, Granny, Auntie, your legacy of love, faith, and strength will forever inspire us.