Life Legacy

Rose Marie Forsythe, 77, passed away peacefully with friends and family on Monday, December 11th, 2017 at Baylor Scott & White Hospital in McKinney, Texas just NE of Dallas. Rose Marie was born at home on “Rabbit Hill” in Wellsburg, West Virginia to the late Jesse Van Sky and Kathleen Lorraine (Watson) Richards. She was predeceased by her brothers and listed spouses, William “Bill” Lawrence (Madelyn), James “Jim” Francis Richards (Marie), Robert “Bob” Eugene Richards (Jean E. Richards), George Franklin Richards (Dorothy E. Richards), her sister Mary Kathryn (Richards) Mozingo, her sister-in-law Marjory Lee Richards, and lastly brother Thomas Marvin Richards. She was also preceded by two daughters, Pamela and Lorraine Forsythe.

Rose Marie was a proud West Virginian. Proud of her family ancestry and energized when anyone would take a moment to listen to her vast knowledge of names, dates, and historical events. Siblings were revered, nieces and nephews bragged upon, while children, grand-children, and great grand-children’s every birthday, seasonal holiday, and life event were remembered religiously. She was a conservative Christian, liberal and progressive as to her political views, an old soul yet mentally young at heart. She was independent, a law unto herself. She gave freely of her time, energy, and often portrayed a sympathetic understanding especially to the frailties of others. She cherished her long lasting friendships and displayed a “frankness” in her opinions that were unique and definitive as to who she was and what she was thinking.

Rose Marie attended Hammond Elementary, Bethany Middle, and Wellsburg High Schools in Brooke County, West Virginia. An early job she held and often mentioned, was as a “soda jerk” at the Dairy Bar on Charles Street in Wellsburg during the 50’s. She married the late Paul Forsythe at the age of 17 (1957) and spent extended time as a young stay at home mom on the “hill” above Lazear’s Lane on the south side of town. Her entrepreneurial spirit led to stints selling Avon and Tupperware in conjunction to parenting her youngsters. She eventually studied to become a nurse’s assistant and worked tirelessly during her mid-life as a visiting and then eventual live-in caregiver. She lived in West Virginia and Ohio much of her life spending the last six-months in Farmersville, Texas near Dallas at Lakeland Ranch with her friend and “personal nurse” Michele Conrey.

Rose Marie loved to sing in her very identifiable soprano voice, was a self-taught organist and relished playing in Evangelical churches well into her 70’s. She was a voracious reader and a committed watcher of “The Young and The Restless.” She developed a unique crocheted stitch and made throws, blankets, and pillows for most family members and many of her friends. She loved to travel and was quick and always open to “taking a ride” with anyone willing and able, well past the time she was competent to be issued a driver’s license. She was an animal lover, loved to quote biblical passages, never one to pass up a good bible study or revival, and was relentless in her pursuit of that next big adventure. Most assuredly, her final adventure can only be described as quite “heavenly.”

Rose Marie is survived by her brother Paul Edward Richards of Wellsburg, WV; Sister-in-law Brenda J. Richards of Myrtle Beach, SC; two sons Rev. Paul David Forsythe (Michele) of Wheeling, WV and Allen Lee Forsythe of Dallas, TX; two daughters, Brenda Marie Forsythe of Indianapolis, IND and Amanda Faith Forsythe of San Francisco, CA; six grandchildren, Marlana Carole Forsythe of Wheeling, WV and Det. Benjamin Thomas Forsythe of Morgantown, WV; Justin Lee Forsythe and Emily Maree Forsythe of Houston, Texas; Danielle McBride Spudich (Jeff) of Indianapolis, IND, and Rachelle McBride of Indianapolis, IND; four great grand-children, Aliyah Madison Powell of Indianapolis, IND, Violet Marie Spudich and Bentley Paul Spudich of Indianapolis, IND; Kenlee Grace Forsythe (Natalee) of Houston, TX.

The interment service, for the family, will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at 10 AM at Kadesh Chapel, 3704 Apple Pie Ridge Road (Hammond Community), Wellsburg, West Virginia, 26070.

A “Celebration of Life” service will be held for Rose Marie on Saturday, March 17, 2018 held at 4-6 PM at the Apostolics of the Ohio Valley (AOV) Church, 10416 River Road, Wellsburg, West Virginia, 26070. The family would like to invite everyone who wishes to attend.

Chambers Funeral Home, Wellsburg, WV (304)737-3551 is honored and privileged to assist the Forsythe Family at this time of bereavement.

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