Happy Birthday:
Oct. 1: Randall Creel, Jackie Lee, John Herron, Dena O’Bannon Risher, Betty Jo Maxwell, Will Jones, Jennifer Brantley, Nelda Tyree, Tamara Pearce, Pam S. Jones, Geof Morris, Charles J. Anderson, Jeff Emmons.
Oct. 2: Missy McKibbens Roper, Pam Pryor Wallace, Mark Gerald, Jimmy W. As McDill, Anthony Hollingsworth, Brooke Mitchell, Sonny Sparks, Terry Sims, Chris Baker.
Oct. 3: Linda Wilkerson Jefcoat, Kevin Stewart, Grady Austin II, Jack Kihn, Susan Myers, Louise Harrell, Wilma Robinson, Page Warren, Julie Elise Sparks, Anse Rigby, Roy Windham, Cody Walters.
Oct. 4: Jackie Burkes, Barry Rogers, Monroe Harrell, Jo Marler, Ebbie Keenum, Joe Clarke III, Pam Chancellor Shanks, Mary Baker, Nancy Hollingsworth, Chrysler Brown Carter.
Oct. 5: Ronnie Anthony, Sheila Pryor, Tom Stewart Lee, Jr., David Scruggs, Lee Bishop, Kenton Allen Smith, Ronnie Foreman, Phyllis Herrington, Gigi Farmer, Brett Bagley, Chad Brown, Chan Brown, Allyson Heflin Riser, Elizabeth Woods, Phyllis Sharp, Steve Posey, Caitlin Slay, Miriam Coates.
Oct. 6: Ritchie Shields, Morgan Madden, Gail Lee, Joanna Austin, Justin Windham, Kevin Gordon, Leigh G. Thomas, Faith Fillengane, Thomas Culipher, Cissy Gilbert, Samantha Webb
Oct. 7: Ricky Rawson, Max Long, Sandra Harrison, Doris Jean Leahey, Ronnie Fortinberry, Sammye Jean Webb, David Tucker, Denise Rogers, Ramona McAuliffe, Randy Hawthorne, Ed Derachuck, Dr. Jimmy Johnson
CONGRATULATIONS to Cade Shaw, son of Stephanie and Brian Shaw, on being named a National Merit Semifinalist!!! Cade is a senior at Madison Central School. Proud grandparents are George and Jo Taylor and Royce and Maggie Shaw.
We were quite saddened to learn that Dr. Rita Lum passed away last week, September 22, 2025, following a courageous battle with cancer. She was loved and respected by so many. Our thoughts and prayers are especially with her family and friends in the Bearcat family.
Sincere Sympathy to the family of Betty Greener Culpepper who died Monday, September 22nd. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, September 24th at Forest Methodist Church. Betty was the last surviving member of the prominent Greener family, who have lived in Forest and Scott County for generations. She is survived by her son, daughter and granddaughter. Burial took place at Eastern Cemetery in Forest.
So sorry to hear that Joe (Mitch) Mitchell was taken to the hospital last Sunday in Slidell. He was kept in the hospital, while they tried to determine the cause. Happy to report he has now been released and is back at home. Please continue to keep him in your prayers.
It is amazing how at sporting events in other towns and states former Forest graduates cross paths with other Forest graduates, most of whom are following their grandchildren’s sporting activities. Recently, when Madison Central High School hosted the Brandon High School football team, Judge Tom and Norma Ruth Lee attended to see their grandson Steven Lee being recognized at halftime with the Madison Central State Championship Baseball team. It was discovered that the quarterback for the Madison Central football team Tripp Smith is the grandson of Forest native Doctor Johnny and Diane Smith. Tripp Smith is a sophomore and already leading a 7A team. He will be one to watch and continue to cheer for in the future.
In another coincidence, Spence Sims’s basketball team plays the University of Tennessee, and Grant Hirst, brother of Addison Hirst, who has been a close friend of Spence’s brother, Steele Sims. (The Sims’ brothers are grandsons of FHS graduate Loren Ormond McKibbens.) Addison’s 6’5” younger sister (Lauren) also plays basketball for UT, (as well as volleyball) — and is another young athlete to watch!
Forest Rotarians had Jess Dilley as their guest last Wednesday. Jess, who is pastor of First Baptist Church Lake, also serves on the board of the Center of Hope and told about the services the crisis pregnancy center offers, including its new mobile unit. Jess also reminded Rotarians of the upcoming annual Center of Hope Banquet which will be held at Forest Baptist Church on October 4th.
Scott Palmer enjoyed a visit from Glenn and Gayle Galey of Hattiesburg last Tuesday. The Galeys remarked on the all of the projects taking place in downtown Forest and how nice the City looks!!
Please send your news for the Forest Column to us (Attn: Forest News) at lmckibbens@aol.com.
We want to hear from you!!
