Rev. Forney Tallant Howard

TUSCALOOSA Rev. Forney Tallant Howard, age 88, went to be with his Lord on April 16, 2009, at DCH Regional Medical Center with his loving family at his side. His funeral service will be 7 p.m. today at Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South with Rev. Jonathan Ivy officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home. Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, April 20, 2009, at Elmwood Cemetery in Birmingham with Magnolia Chapel Funeral Home South directing.

His wife and love of his life, Merry Alma Howard, preceded him in death.

Survivors include his sons, Kenneth T. Howard (Linda) and Ron E. Howard (Deborah); his grandchildren, David Howard, Candace Donelson (Ron), Melissa Howard Grantham (Eric), and Jonathan Howard (Darcie); his great-grandchildren, Desireé Howard, Tyler Howard, Morgan Donelson, Madison Donelson "J.R." Howard, and two more on the way.

Forney was an honorable witness for the Lord, a loving husband, father/grandfather and brother as well as a faithful friend. A veteran of World War II and the Korean War, he saw combat in Europe and was in the Battle of the Bulge. Forney was retired from U.S. Steel where he worked for 44 years. An active Christian and church leader all of his life, he accepted the call to ministry after his retirement from U.S. Steel. He served churches in Alabama and Mississippi and after moving to Tuscaloosa he became Pastor of Visitation at Woodland Forrest Baptist Church where he served until his death. He was a Chaplain Associate for DCH and ministered to patients at Northport Medical Center. In addition, he regularly ministered to residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities in the Greater Tuscaloosa Area. He served on the board for Caring Days.

Pallbearers are Bob Wilson, David Howard, Jonathan Howard, Ron Donelson, Eric Grantham, and Jacob Harmon. Honorary pallbearers are friends at Skyland Oaks, U.S. Steel retirees, Chaplain Paul Stephens and the DCH Pastoral Care Staff, Dr. Keith DeBell, Dr. Pedro Lopez, Dr. Ann Lewis, Dr. Debra Davis, the nursing staff and UA nursing students on 4SE.