Brenda Forbes Obituary, Death – Sincere condolences are extended to Brenda Forbes’s family on behalf of the Board of Directors and Director of the St. John Valley Chamber of Commerce. We are saddened to learn of Brenda’s passing. This past weekend, Brenda left us forever. She was a Director at the Chamber of Commerce for a good number of years. She had a big heart and was always willing to contribute her time to a wide variety of causes because she did so many different things. There are going to be a lot of people who miss her! In 1971, Brenda earned her high school diploma from Culver Community School.
While she was a student at Purdue University, she happened to meet Kirk Forbes while they were both working on a paper mache sign for the school’s Homecoming celebration. In August of 1973, they tied the knot. She began her career in retail management and continued in that role until she became a stay-at-home mom, during which time she was responsible for the upbringing of three children, the doting of three grandchildren, the training of four German shepherds, and the endurance of 48 years with Kirk.
She was a loyal daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, and, above all else, grandmother. Her grandchildren were her first priority. Brenda was a fan of the ocean and had the opportunity to visit all but six of the states. Her favorite things to do in her spare time were genealogy research on her family, making crafts with her grandchildren, and cooking with them. Jesus was very important to Brenda, and her life’s work demonstrates her devotion to him. She gave her time with the church’s youth group, managed funeral meals, taught at vacation bible school, took part in the Tea & Tables Celebration, served as an Apples of Gold mentor, and volunteered at the church bazaar.
Her favorite contribution was the yearly journey to Henderson Settlement in Frakes, Kentucky, where she helped out with the mission there. She cared deeply about the development of children and spent over ten years working in the education field as a substitute teacher. She spent a considerable portion of her childhood working as a volunteer for the Girl Scouts organization; some of her favorite events associated with the organization include the yearly cookie sale and the week she spends at Camp Dellwood every summer.