Funeral services for Milton Ray Forrest of Coushatta, LA were held at 2 P.M. Sunday, August 5, 2018 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Dr. Paul “Curtis” Carroll, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Holley Springs Cemetery, Martin, LA. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1 P.M. until service time Sunday at First United Methodist Church. Services are under the direction of Rockett-Nettles Funeral Home.
Milton Ray Forrest was born to Becky and George Forrest on July 12, 1929 at his family home in Coushatta, Louisiana, the town in which he was proud to call home for most of his life. By choice, he rarely left Red River Parish. Milton passed away on August 3, 2018 at the age of 89.
Milton graduated from Coushatta High School where he was a talented and successful basketball player assisting in winning state team titles for his school. He married his childhood sweetheart, Tommie Sue Jowers Forrest in 1949; they recently celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary last September. Milton proudly served in the U. S. Navy. He worked in the oilfield industry for a brief time, and then he began a local banking career that spanned the next sixty-six years. Milton ultimately worked at all three local banks in Coushatta where he truly enjoyed serving his many loyal customers. In his younger years, he was an active leader and member of the Coushatta Jaycees. Locally, he served on the Red River Parish Levee Board and was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Coushatta, LA. He was a charter member of the Coushatta Country Club where he enjoyed playing golf with his weekly group of buddies for as long as his health allowed. Milton worked diligently as a charter member of the Riverdale Academy Board. He worked hard at keeping up with all of the careers, sports, and activities, of his children, grandchildren, and especially his great grandchildren.
Affectionately known as Milt, he was devoted to his wife, and adored by his daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He hand cleared the land where his home still stands, and ultimately became a fine wood craftsman who enjoyed building and refurbishing furniture for family and making candle sticks from zebrawood to share with friends and family. Milton could repair just about anything. He was always available to graciously assist his daughters and grandchildren with projects or repairs at their homes. Little known to many, he also had an avid hobby of completing jigsaw puzzles.
Milt was a patient, kind, soft-spoken man, always willing to help others. He spent his life putting others wants and needs ahead of his own. Family was everything to him. He had a special bond with each of his daughters, his grandchildren, and his great grandchildren making each feel as if they were his favorite. Life will not be the same without him, but his legacy will proudly be continued through his beloved family.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Becky and George Forrest, sister, LaMae Bogus, brothers, Wilbur Forrest, Arthur Forrest, Edward Alton Forrest, Emmett Forrest, and son-in-law Philip Guidry. He is survived by his wife, Tommie Sue, daughters Debbie Guidry of Coushatta, Louisiana, Rhoda Bethard and son-in-law, Robert Bethard of Coushatta, Louisiana, granddaughters, Kassie Williams and husband Josh of Coushatta, Louisiana, Kara Bethard of New Orleans, Louisiana, Kallie Bethard of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Kambrie Bethard of Lafayette, Louisiana, grandsons, Caleb Guidry and his wife Christy of Frierson, Louisiana and Silas Guidry of Coushatta, Louisiana and his great grandchildren Kiptin Williams, Slayte Guidry, Milton Guidry, P.J. Guidry, and a very special niece, Karen Forrest Holladay of Bossier City, Louisiana along with two sister- in-laws, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, Caleb Guidry, Silas Guidry, Kassie and Josh Williams, Kara Bethard, Kallie Bethard, and Kambrie Bethard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Holley Springs Cemetery, 1019 Hwy 786, Coushatta, Louisiana, 71019, First United Methodist Church of Coushatta, 2018 Front Street, Coushatta, Louisiana, 71019, or the recipient of donor’s choice.
