Mary Joyce (Harris) Forwood

Mary Joyce Harris Forwood departed this earthly life on February 20, 2024 at the age of 90. She was preceded in death by her parents, Melvin Lafayette Harris, mother Lessie Reeves Harris, four sisters Fannie Mae Guice, Ruth Merle Bozeman, Gertrude Dennis and Judy Christine Harris, and her husband, Harvey. She is survived by her daughter, Claudia June Ketchum and son-in-law Leonard Ketchum of Westcliffe, Colorado.

Joyce was born in Rutledge, Alabama on 11/17/1933. After graduating from high school, she worked as a secretary/stenographer in Mobile where she met her future husband, Walter Harvel Forwood. In 1954, their daughter was born. As time progressed, both Joyce and Harvey became employees of the federal government working for various federal agencies. The majority of Joyce’s career was with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) where she was the Airport’s Manager in Oklahoma City and then as an instructor in the FAA Academy. After retirement, Joyce and Harvey returned to Mobile where they lived out the rest of their lives. Joyce was a loving, independent wife, mother, and friend. She was a role-model to her daughter encouraging her always to pursue her dreams. She will be missed. There will be no formal services but rather a celebration of life at a later date.