David P. Forrest

Mr. David P. Forrest, 87 of Yatesville, GA died Saturday, May 18, 2024, at his residence. 

Mr. Forrest was born on July 24, 1936, in Brownsville, Tennessee, to the late Samuel Carl Forrest, and the late Orie D. Marcum Forrest.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Mike, Homer, Leslie Forrest, sister, Rainey Claire Riddick. 

David loved the simple things in life:  God, Family, his dogs, agriculture, helping others and sports. He was an arm-chair quarterback, umpire, pit boss, dog whisperer, and had a green thumb. Growing up as the son of a sharecropper on a western Tennessee cotton farm, he worked his way through college earning a bachelor’s degree from University of Tennessee Martin.  After college, he enlisted and served in the US Army.  After an honorable discharge, he worked as an USDA food inspector throughout the south before earning a master’s degree in agriculture education from University of Tennessee Knoxville and later earned a Specialist Degree from the University of Georgia. Mr. Forrest didn’t teach from a textbook, he taught from experience.  Beginning in Murray County in 1969, his career teaching agricultural education continued into Southeast Whitfield, Screven County, and Glascock County, as well as one year in Tennessee. He began teaching Upson County High School in 1990 and was awarded an Honorary American FFA Degree in 1997.  He retired from Upson-Lee High School in 1999.  

David was an active member of Ramah Primitive Baptist Church in Barnesville, GA.  He was also an active member of the Thomaston Lions Club, holding numerous offices at the local & district level, including District Governor, and served on countless committees in various positions, including chairing 3 state conventions.  His service as a Lion was recognized by awarding him with the prestigious Ervin-Crumbley Award.  Dave was also dedicated in supporting the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind in Waycross, GA.    

Survivors include his wife, Dimple Baynes Forrest of Yatesville, son, Carl Forrest of Yatesville, daughter Jan (James) Kent of Waverly Hall, honorary daughters, Kristina Warren, and her family, of Molena, Jennifer Taylor of Thomaston, brothers and sisters in law, Sonny (Joyce) Baynes of Dalton, Georgia Eloise (Harold) Ridley of Dalton, Ann Baynes of Dalton, grandchildren, Josie and John Kent, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Coggins Funeral Home.  The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. at Coggins Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Georgia Lions Camp for the Blind in Waycross, Georgia at Georgia Lions Camp, Inc. 5626 Laura Walker Rd. Waycross, GA 31503-6488, Memorial Fund: David Forrest or Venmo: @David-White-1597 or David's Grandkids Education Fund at Jan Forrest Kent 655 Pierce Rd. Waverly Hall, GA. 31831, or Venmo: @jdfkent.