Robert Ramsaur Forney
SHELBY — Mr. Robert Ramsaur Forney, 91, of 210 Fairway Drive,
died Thursday, August 15, 2002.
A native of Burke County, he was born Sept. 18, 1912, and reared in Cleveland
County. He graduated from Piedmont High School, Boiling Springs Jr. College and
Wake Forest University. He has been a member of First Baptist Church for 50
years where he served as deacon, chairman of the Finance Committee and was an
active member of the Paul Wilson Bible Class. His tour of duty in World War II
was in Europe where he served in the Signal Corps.
He began his business career with Lily Mills Company, which became Belding Lilly
after a merger with Belding Hemingway in New York. From 1966 until his
retirement in 1978, he was President and C.E.O. of Belding Lily and served on
the American Threat Institute, a member of the New Comer Society of North
America. He was on the Board of Trustees at Wake Forest University in the
1970’s. He was always interested in civic and community activities. He was an
active member of the Shelby Rotary Club serving as President in 1995-56. He
served on the Board of Trustees of Cleveland Memorial Hospital. He helped with
the organization of the Cleveland County Boys Club. A member of the Board of
Advisors at Gardner-Webb University, a Director of the Foundation of the
Carolina’s Board. He served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank for
25 years.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles D. and Frances Ramsaur Forney;
two brothers, Charles Forney Jr. and Tom Forney and two sisters, Minnie Anna
Forney and Mamie Lou Bridges.
He is survived by his wife, Jessie Irvin Forney; three sisters-in-law, Martha
Lane Forney, Alise Irvin and five nieces, 13 nephews and their families.
Interment will be Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at Sunset Cemetery followed by a
memorial service at 3:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. Visitation will be
after the service in the church vestibule.
Clay-Barnette Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
