Thelma Forbes

1919 - 2025

Thelma (Sawyer) Forbes Portsmouth, VA - Thelma Sawyer Forbes went to be with Willard peacefully in her sleep on Sunday morning, November 30, 2025, at her home in Sterling Point, Portsmouth, VA. After living an incredible and fulfilled life, she left this world at the remarkable age of 106. She lived through more than a century of change - witnessing world events, new eras, and the growth of the family who adored her.

Born September 12, 1919, Thelma grew up on Wharf Road in Old Trap, NC, where she met the love of her life, Willard Oswell Forbes. Willard always loved the story of first seeing Thelma in pigtails, playing in a ditch - a memory she would dismiss with an affectionate "Willard!". Their childhood friendship blossomed into a lifelong partnership, and they married on January 1, 1938, at the parsonage in Shiloh. While attending Shiloh High School, Thelma was voted the prettiest girl in the school.

Thelma was an avid genealogist, with boxes of handwritten charts. Thelma was also a member of the Eastern Star. Whether Willard announced that 10 or 20 people were "coming over for dinner", or hosting a BBQ Mullet, she welcomed everyone. Her desserts - black walnut cake, banana cake, pound cake, and so many others, became family treasures, later preserved in a cookbook.

She is survived by her daughters, Anita Forbes Martin and Pamla Forbes Host Andrews (Danny); son, Willard Terry Forbes; grandchildren, Deborah E. Martin, Andrea Martin Sommerstein (Aaron), Floyd "Casey" F. Martin III, Michael Thomas Martin (Becky), David Findlay Host Jr. (Bridget), and Amelia Forbes Host Buckman (David); and great-grandchildren, Lauren Kenny Ziegler, Charles "Chaz" Johnson, Ethan Clarke, Preston Clarke, Sullivan Jane Host, David Findlay Host III, Sawyer Rose Buckman, and Mercer Maddie Buckman. In addition to her parents and husband, Willard O. Forbes, she was preceded in death by her son-in-law, Floyd "Buddy" F. Martin Jr. Thelma was the last surviving of nine siblings, Clyde "Buddy", Iredell "Del", Nellie, Lou, Patsy, Curtis, Elton, and her baby sister, Laura.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, inside the mausoleum at West Lawn Cemetery, 1909 West Main Street, Elizabeth City, NC 27909. A visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at Twiford Memorial Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, you may donate to College of the Albemarle for the Willard and Thelma Forbes Memorial Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 865, Portsmouth, VA 23705.

Thelma's full obituary can be seen on Twiford Funeral Home Web site.

Twiford Funeral Homes, 405 E. Church Street, Elizabeth City, NC, is serving the Forbes Family. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.