Rose Marie Fornes

Rose was born on February 4, 1949, in Columbia, SC. She was raised in Riddle, NC by her parents, the late Lang M. Beckham (Mid) and Bettie F. Beckham. While growing up, she attended Riddle Pentecostal Holiness Church. Currently, she was a member of First Apostolic Church of Morehead City.

She was a loving Wife, Mother, and Grandmother. She was mostly known as “MaMa” to many that loved her. She was a sweet, gentle soul that could light up a room. Anyone who met her could not help but to love her. Through her many trials during her life, she always remained strong and always had a positive attitude. Even on her roughest days, when asked how are you doing? Her reply was always “pretty good!” No matter how bad she felt or how tired she was, she would always be more concerned of others needs before her own.

She had many things that she enjoyed doing including cooking big family dinners, baking, canning, crafting, sewing, gardening, and listening to Conway Twitty. She especially loved to go fishing and collecting lighthouses.

Rose is survived by her husband of 54 years, Willie Earl Fornes of the home; daughter, Jeannette F. Smith (Marcus) of Havelock; grandchildren, Samantha Nance (Dylan) of Asheboro and Jordan Powell of Havelock; Siblings, Wilma Carawan, Ray Tyndall, Vivian Williamson, and Lola Harrison. She also loved Kenny and Jeffrey like her sons and especially loved her fur babies, Chloe, and Bree.

Sadly, she is preceded in death by her daughter, Daphne Fornes Ireland and her sister, Lynda Sawyer.

A heartfelt appreciation goes out to the Nurses and staff of CarolinaEast Medical Center and Fresenius Kidney Care for providing such compassionate care during the past several years of her life. Rose loved and adored her extended family at CarolinaEast and Fresenius. She spent many days, nights, weekends and even most holidays with them. Sometimes, she spent more time them than with her own family. This time gave her a chance to really get to know and love the staff, their families, and other patients as well. Although, these times were often extremely challenging for her, she genuinely enjoyed and cherished her moments with the people she encountered. Not only did she love the staff as her own family, it soon became obvious that she also became a part of their families as well. It was no denying that she made her mark on others during her visits as she truly felt the love and compassion for her in return.

A Visitation will be held Saturday, June 26, 2021, from 6:00-8:00 PM at Cotten Funeral Home. A Funeral Service is scheduled for Sunday, June 27, 2021, at 3:00 PM at Cotten Funeral Home with Pastor Todd White officiating. Burial will follow in Celestial Memorial Gardens in Vanceboro.

Arrangements by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory. Online condolences may be made to the Fornes family at www.cottenfuneralhome.com