Audrey Evelyn Glisson Forehand

Hiltonia, GA – Audrey Evelyn Glisson Forehand of Hiltonia died October 30, 2019, just days after her 90th birthday.

The daughter of Hinton and Walton (Waters) Glisson, Evelyn was born on October 24, 1929. The Screven County native graduated from Hiltonia High School in 1946. She married Edgar Earl Forehand in March 1947. They had celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary a few months before he passed away in 2017. Evelyn was first and foremost a homemaker who loved taking care of her family. She was lauded by many as one of the best cooks in the county. Children and grandchildren would gather at her house on Sundays after church for Sunday dinner. They rarely left to go on vacation without a batch of her blueberry muffins to take along. She loved tending and growing flowers and plants. Her yard was always full of beautiful flowers. She was proud and happy to provide cuttings to all who admired them. She loved birds, especially hummingbirds, and provided food for all that came into her yard.

She faithfully and enthusiastically served the Hiltonia United Methodist Church in many roles for more than 70 years.  She was a dedicated member of the Womens Missionary Society. She taught Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and sang in the church choir for many years. She lovingly prepared homemade bread for Holy Communion for decades, and a few lucky individuals were eager to take the remainder of the loaves home following each service. She took joy and pride in even the menial tasks of the church, such as ensuring the Altar cloths were clean and pressed and the right color for every season and that the brass candle holders were cleaned of melted wax and polished until they gleamed. She was one of the first to let members know when fellow members or others needed prayer and would start a prayer chain for them.  She was faithful to support many good causes, especially those dealing with wounded veterans in honor of her husband who was wounded in World War II. She was a member of the Captain Elisha Bethea Chapter #490, National Society United States Daughters of 1812.

For several years, she spent countless hours serving as a volunteer for the American Red Cross Bloodmobile. She was instrumental in opening the first “green stamp” store in Sylvania.

Survivors: Sons and Daughters-In-Law: Gerald David & June Forehand of Hiltonia, Bruce Allan & Vickie Forehand, and William Dale & Earlene Forehand, all of Sylvania, and Timothy Grant & Allison Forehand of Barnwell, SC; Sisters-In-Law: Weesa F. McCullough of Harlem, GA, Annette Forehand, and Gaye F. & George Patrick of Sylvania; "adopted” sister-in-law Gwen Sturdivant, Grandchildren: Tammy Herron, Benjamin Forehand, Teerah Rowell, Jeremy Forehand, Dusty Forehand, Ryan Forehand, Joshua Forehand, Brandon Forehand, and Lee Kistler; 18 Great-Grandchildren; 3 Great-Great-Grandchildren; and a number of Nieces and Nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edgar Earl Forehand; her parents; a brother; and a grandson, Sean Forehand.

Visitation: Friday, November 1, 2019 at 10:00 AM at Hiltonia United Methodist Church.

Funeral Services: Friday, November 1, 2019 at 11:00 AM at Hiltonia United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Karen Zeigler and Rev. Jason Owens officiating. Burial following at Bascom Cemetery.

Pallbearers: Ben Forehand, Jeremy Forehand, Ryan Forehand, Josh Forehand, Brandon Forehand, and Justin Rowell.

Evelyn's family would like to thank Dr. Sherma Peter, the staff of Optim Medical Center in Sylvania, the staff at Ogeechee Area Hospice in Statesboro, and close friend Pauline Bragg for their care and support.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrances be made to: Hiltonia United Methodist Church, c/o Mickey Michelis, 736 Sandy Ridge Road, Sylvania, GA or to Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, GA 30458.

Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home in charge of all arrangements. www.thompsonstricklandwaters.com