A celebration of life

Dad and Grandpa Forsythe

Today we celebrate the life of my father, Paul Thomas Forsythe, Born July 4, 1935.

(The obituary was written by my brother Allen Forsythe)

PAUL THOMAS FORSYTHE

Forsythe, Paul Thomas, age 73 of Wellsburg, West Virginia was the son of long time Brooke County residents Thomas Russell and Minnie Ennis Forsythe of Lazears Lane. Thomas, a Scottish immigrant and Minnie, of Asheville, North Carolina, had three depression era children: Howard Forsythe, Leona Forsythe - Williams, and Paul Forsythe, all long time members of the United Pentecostal Church, currently located in Beech Bottom, West Virginia.

Paul is survived by Frances Jean Virden Nolan - Forsythe of Wellsburg and vicinity and her five children, Jerry Nolan (Susan), Pamela Nolan Mercer (Brent), Gary Nolan (Patty of Springhills, Florida), Walter Nolan, Marlena Nolan Smith (Todd) and a deceased son, William Nolan also of Wellsburg. Additionally, 11 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren are numbered on the Nolan side of the Paul and Frances Jean 26 year marriage.

Paul is also survived by Rev. Paul David Forsythe (Michele of Wheeling, W.Va.), Allen Forsythe of Dallas, Texas, and Brenda Forsythe-McBride (Glen of Grantsville, West Virginia) and their mother, Rose Marie Richards - Forsythe of Belpre, Ohio along with sister Amanda Forsythe of Aiken, South Carolina. Paul is also preceded in death by daughters Pamela and Lorraine. Additionally, 6 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild are numbered on the Forsythe/Richards side of the family.

Paul T. Forsythe, who attended Wellsburg High School, was a veteran of the Korean War and was honorably discharged as an SP4 from the Army in the year 1956 and served in the Army Reserves until July, 1961. Paul was an employee of Crescent Glass Company for approx. 19 years and eventually retired from Windsor Power Coal Company in 1997 after working 24 years as an electrician. He also worked part time at Maloney’s Gulf Station as a mechanic and was an accomplished body man and auto painter as a hobby/side job. Paul was known as a devout Christian and was quick to share his faith in God with those he encountered in his daily life. He served as a Sunday school teacher, song leader, and choir member under Pastor Lewis Carl Porter at the UPC Church on Bethany Pike during his early adult life. He was most recently a respected Elder under Pastor Paul Armstrong and his son, Jay Armstrong, the current Pastor of Christian Life Church in Beech Bottom, West Virginia. He was a devoted father and husband and brandished a contagious sense of humor that was interjected seamlessly into his notorious story telling. Paul’s hobbies included but were not limited to hunting and fishing with friends and family and took most nephews and church youth members on their first treks into the woods or local streams. He enjoyed travel and spent hours driving family members in his RV and/or lounging on east coast beaches with those he held most dear, his family. He was an amateur drummer and harmonica player and had a real passion for boating and camping. His compassion and tender heart made Paul approachable by all and his patience with young children made “Pappy” a favorite with all the extended families little ones. Paul will be sorely missed by family, friends, and loved ones even as he receives his eternal reward for a life lived to the fullest.

Aunt Leona, Dad, Grandma & Grandpa Forsythe.

My favorite picture~ Dad with Me, Allen and David~ Easter 1963

I will share more of Daddy's life at a later date. Remember us today, as we join in celebrating a "life worth living". Jesus Christ made Dad worthy....and we follow in his legacy...making us a better person in the process. Today, "It's all about Dad".