Rev. Forrest James Busbee Jr.

Rev. Forrest James Busbee, Jr., 84, of Ellabell, Georgia, passed away on Monday, November 17, 2025, at his residence surrounded by his loving family.

Forrest was born on February 15, 1941, in Waynesboro, Georgia, to the late Forrest James Busbee, Sr., and Carrie Bell Bazemore Busbee. Early into his adulthood, Forrest enlisted in the Army Reserves, after serving in the Army reserves, he went on to pursue a career as mechanic and worked at Gulf Stream Aerospace for many years. Later in life he decided to pursue sales and eventually retired from Riverside Uniforms. It was known that Forest was a “jack of all trades” and could repair any broken engine. He was also known to be an avid freshwater fisherman. He also enjoyed traveling to the mountains of North Georgia, Tennessee with his family and beloved wife. Later in life he loved working in his yard and took great pride in his well-maintained landscape, especially the citrus trees that provided many of his close friends, colleagues, and family members with the opportunity to indulge in the sweet taste of the fruit his meticulously grown lemon, orange, and tangerine trees produced. During his downtime, Forrest truly enjoyed watching old Western programs, such as Gunsmoke, Rawhide, Bonanza, and The Lone Ranger, to name a few. Forest never met a stranger which was indicative of the well-rounded man he was. He was loved and respected by so many and often shared a few words of wisdom with most people he met. One in particular he was known to say often, “Come see me, you will know me, come live with me, you’ll find me out.” This was most often followed up with one of his hilarious jokes and his amazing laughter.

Most importantly, Forrest was a pastor for eight churches throughout his lifetime. If you were fortunate enough to know Forrest, you also knew that his greatest love was for Jesus Christ, and he was unapologetic about his faith and that of his family. During his lifetime, he read the Bible over fifty times and could quote the scripture verbatim at a moment’s notice. His favorite verse was Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yes, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Forrest is preceded in death by his brother and three sisters, Russell Busbee, Marie B. Bowden, Ellery Busbee, and Alberta “Teenie” Busbee. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Patsy Williford Busbee; children, Theresa (Russell) Westberry, Forrest James (Jan) Busbee, III., Tonya (Alex) Dasilva, Rebecca “Becky” (John-David Garletts) Fortson; grandchildren, Jessica Westberry, Phillip Ragsdale, Jamie Busbee, Joni Busbee, Mathew Ragsdale, Rachael Busbee, Troy Fortson, Jr., Zachery Fortson, Sr., and Sydney Fortson; great-grandchildren, Harper Ragsdale, Ellie Fortson, Nora Ragsdale, and Zachery Fortson, Jr.; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Forrest James Busbee, III., Mathew Ragsdale, Zachery Fortson, Sr.,Troy Fortson, Jr., Phillip Ragsdale, and John-David Garletts.

Jean Simpson will be an honorary pallbearer.

Visitation to be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025, from 12:30 PM until 1:30 PM at Thompson-Strickland-Waters Funeral Home, Joiner Anderson Chapel located at 202 Ennis Street, Sylvania GA 30467. Funeral Services will immediately follow in the Joiner Anderson Chapel. Officiants will be Forest’s wife, Patsy Busbee, and brother in Christ, Denny Chapman.

Interment will follow at Friendship Baptist Church Cemetery located at 1029 Newington Hwy Sylvania, GA 30467.

Thompson Strickland Waters, Joiner Anderson Chapel is in charge of all arrangements.