Melba J. Forrest

Forrest, Melba J., 80, retired owner of Forrest Properties, Inc., passed away Monday, April 11, 2011 at Wesley Medical Center after a long illness. Visitation with the family will be 6~8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, at Downing Lahey Mortuary East. Graveside service will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 14 at Lakeview Cemetery. Melba was born March 31, 1931 in Melbourne, AR, the daughter of William T. and Mamie (Felts) Clem. A Wichita resident since 1952, she earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education degrees from Wichita State University and obtained post graduate schooling in management, administration, and real estate. After teaching at Curtis and Minneha Jr. High Schools, she became a real estate agent in 1976 for Bond Realty Investment Corp., Wichita 1976 ~ 1979. In 1979, she founded Forrest Properties, Inc. as owner, agent, broker and appraiser. She was a National Association of Independent Fee Appraisers (NAIFA) member and served as Kansas State Director, Wichita Chapter President, State Education Coordinator and national convention delegate. She was awarded “Kansas IFA Educational Coordinator of the Year” in 1988 and “Kansas IFA Appraiser of the Year” in 1989. Author of IFA “Narrative Residential Appraisal” course, she also belonged to the National, Kansas, and Wichita Area Associations of Realtors, Employee Relocation Council and Rho Epsilon Professional Real Estate Fraternity. Tireless, compassionate, and generous, she was a long term volunteer for the American Heart Association. She will be deeply missed by family, friends, and community. Survivors include: beloved and devoted husband of 60 years, Cloyce B. “Jack” Forrest of Wichita; daughter, Cmdr. Ruth Forrest, USN (Ret) of Jacksonville Beach, FL; sister, Johnie Mae Graddy (Lee Gene) of Wichita; nephews, Michael L. Graddy (Christy) of Kearney, NE and their children and grandchildren and William David Graddy (Alice) of Wichita and their children. She was preceded in death by her parents and son, James B. Forrest. A memorial has been established with the American Heart Association, 3816 Paysphere Circle, Chicago, IL 60674. Visitation with the family will be 6~8:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 13, at Downing Lahey Mortuary East.