Obituary of Frank T. Forbes, Jr.

On December 23, 2022, God destroyed the shackles of Parkinson’s Disease that his faithful

servant Frank Forbes had endured for a decade and took him to his glorious eternal heavenly

home with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There he joined his parents, Frank Thomas Forbes,

Sr. and Minnie Crantz Forbes and siblings, Lois Kathryn, Mary Frances and Roy Lee along with

many other family members and friends.

A native Roanoker, Frank graduated from Jefferson High School. Having learned from the best,

Frank followed in his father’s footsteps in the family business, Forbes Plumbing and Heating. He

was trusted and admired throughout the Roanoke Valley and beyond for expertise in his trade,

fine craftsmanship, extraordinary work ethic, humility, and kindness to all he met. With

excellence he ran this business until his retirement.

Frank was a proud veteran of the United States Army, having served stateside in the Antiaircraft

Artillery Division during the Korean War.

Next to his Lord and family, Frank’s greatest love was his church, Belmont Baptist. He served the

Lord faithfully for many decades as an ordained Deacon, church Trustee, Property Committee

member, Food Pantry worker and in other ways too numerous to count.

Undoubtedly, God’s last ministry assignment for Frank was his most important – impacting the

lives of all he encountered on his long journey with Parkinson’s Disease. With constant

perseverance, faith, hope, humor, optimism and resilience, he modeled for all of us what it

means to glorify God amidst extreme adversity. This disease attacked him on every front over

the years, and yet he repeatedly pushed back, fighting as hard as he could with a sweet, humble

spirit and a smile on his face. He amazed family, friends, health care professionals and caregivers

with his ability to defy the odds and repeatedly bounce back, never complaining and always

considering himself very blessed.

Frank is survived by his beloved wife of almost 67 years, Nelda Lavinder Forbes; daughters Dawn

Forbes (Scott Anderson) and Jill Winston (Allen); son Jeffrey Forbes (Donna); grandchildren Colin

Forbes, Ian Forbes, and Erinn Forbes; sister-in-law Donna Lavinder, and several nieces and

nephews.

Frank’s family is extremely grateful for the many individuals who helped him during this long

ten-year journey. We are especially indebted to the following;

• Special neighbors Junior and Wanda Kramer for a multitude of kind acts.
• His medical team of Dr. Roy Habib, Dr. Stephen Couture, Dr. Sameh Hanna, and his neurologist Dr. Timothy Hormel who was nothing short of a godsend and a hero to him.
• The caregiving team of Ellis Senior Care who made it possible for Frank to stay at home until the end. Thank you Kourtne Peck for your care in the final hours. Thank you Mike Tolley for your devotion to Frank, your compassion, and for being his buddy. And Betty Gross – Frank relied on and adored you; your care for him for three years as if he were your own family member blessed us all beyond measure; you are forever one of us.
• The many staffers of Good Samaritan Hospice, especially Frank’s core team of extraordinary nurse, Meagan Puckett, Nicki, Ginger, and Chaplain Tammy who carried Frank and his family through the final 22 months of his journey with the greatest compassion and most excellent care we have ever seen.

A private family service was held to honor Frank. Memorial donations to honor him are

welcome and may be made to Good Samaritan Hospice 2408 Electric Road Roanoke, VA 24018

or The Assistance Fund 4700 Millenia Blvd. Suite 410 Orlando, FL 32839 (tafcares.org).

Please celebrate Frank’s life by practicing kindness and considering others above yourself.

Galatians

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control...Galatians 5:22-3.

Well done Frank, well done!  

Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home 540-366-0707