Edna M. Forbes

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Apopka Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in memory of Sis. Edna May Forbes, affectionately known to her family and friends as "Sis", was born to Celeste Hutchinson and Edward Forbes on July 1, 1935 in Kingston, Jamaica. The surviving eldest of her sisters, Edna became a motherly figure to an extended family that stretched from Jamaica to England, New York City, Maryland, Florida and many points in between. Edna graduated from secondary school in Jamaica and later attended Brooklyn College, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. Employed as a paralegal at the law firm of Grossett and Company in Port Antonio, Portland, Edna proved herself to be a bright student with a potential legal career. However, instead of legal pursuits, Edna decided to use her "powers of reason" in service to Jehovah God. Learning what the bible really teaches from her mother, Edna dedicated her life to Jehovah and was baptized on January 6, 1956. She would spend the next 60 years in whole souled service to her God, Jehovah. In 1967 Edna relocated to New York City and worked for the Bell Atlantic company until her retirement in 1995. Since her arrival in New York, Edna became a faithful and beloved member of the Edgecombe congregation in Harlem. She was a fixture in that congregation along with many other older ones. A most gracious and hospitable host, her home was often a place where family, friends, visiting speakers and those in full time service would be entertained. Talk of field service experiences and public discourses would often take place over some ackee, banana fritters or curry goat and perhaps a game of dominoes. One of Edna's greatest joys was her appointment as a regular pioneer in 1993. She "pioneered" for 22 years. Like so many "pioneers" she did so at financial and physical cost to herself because spending time in the field ministry, talking to people about Jehovah, was a source of great satisfaction for her. Edna maintained a home in Lanham, Maryland, which inadvertently motivated many of her family members to move to that area. As a result Edna would now have extended family, both fleshly and spiritual, throughout that state. In 2011, after 44 years at the same residence in New York, Edna moved in with her sister Yvonne Thompson in Apopka, Florida. It was not long after that she became a beloved member of the North Apopka congregation. Even in failing health, "Sis" was still welcoming the visit of family and friends, as in times past. Edna was many things to those who knew her. A minister who spent at least 70 hours each month talking to people about Jehovah. A cook whose meals were enjoyed by many. A world traveler whose highlights included several international conventions. Even a stylish and classy dresser. Mostly she was known as a loving aunt and friend. A person who could keep a confidence. Someone who would send you a hand written letter to see how you were and to tell you that you were loved. Edna would often tell people "Jehovah is good!". Indeed, how good Jehovah is for giving us all the light that was the life of our dear aunt Sis. And how good he will be when he restores that life by means of the hope that Edna hoped in - the resurrection of the dead (Acts 24:15) to everlasting life. Edna was preceded in death by her sisters Delores "Pearl" Graham and Jean Aselma Graham (McBean) as well as by her dear friend and "brother" Hosea Campbell. She is survived by her sister Yvonne Thompson, Madge and Peggy. Nieces: Diana Rhodd, Veroney Joseph, Sheena Johnson, and Dahlia Webb. Nephews: Alphonso Scotland, Mark Webb, Andrew Webb, Karl McBean, Michael McBean and Paul McBean. She also leaves behind a host of grand nieces and nephews, great-grand nieces and nephews, cousins and spiritual brothers, sisters and friends.