July 10, 2022, 91, Goldsboro –

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15

On July 10, 2022, Almeta Batten Forehand, age 91, of Goldsboro, NC, faithful servant of the Lord, entered His presence. She was born on February 21, 1931, to the late Era and Elsie Batten in Wilmington, NC.

Almeta was a member of The First Pentecostal Holiness Church of Goldsboro, NC. Through the years she served as Sunday School teacher, VBS teacher, nursery attendant, and member of the Ladies Auxiliary. She was grade mother for many of her children’s school grades.

Mrs. Forehand is survived by her six children: Debbie Ross of Morehead City, NC; Bobby Forehand [Celia] of Fremont, NC; Terry Barbato [Rick] of Goldsboro, NC; Kim Wall [Jim] of Goldsboro, NC; Luke Forehand [Donna Lynne] of Goldsboro, NC; and Donna Gaddis [Jeff] of Goldsboro, NC. In addition to her children, she is survived by fourteen grandchildren, forty-three great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

She is also survived by her brother, Norman Batten of Ranger, GA; sister-in-law Kathryn Goff of Goldsboro, NC; sister- and brother-in-law Carolyn and Kenneth Castania of Fremont, NC; sister-in-law Evie Harper of Pikeville, NC; sister-in-law Helen Forehand of LaGrange, NC; sister-in-law Jean Martin of Rancho Cucamongo, CA; and sister-in-law Doris Forehand of Pikeville, NC.

She is survived by twenty-six nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly and they loved her.

She was predeceased by the love of her life, her husband of fifty-two years, Loyd J. Forehand; her parents, Era J. Batten and Elsie B. Smith; her siblings and in-laws, Odis and Thelma Batten, Doris and John Gay, Cecil Batten, Gracie and C.W. Merritt, Elwood and Sande Batten, Claudette Batten, Luther and Ella Forehand, James Goff, James Thomas Forehand, Charles Forehand, Jim Forehand, Larry Ross, Al Justice; and her grandson, Andrew Wall.

Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons: Samuel Forehand, Benjamin Forehand, Ricky Barbato, Ryan Barbato, Joshua Barbato, Andy Wall, Adam Wall, Zachary Wall, and Jonathan Gaddis. Kin Crumpler and Chuck Crumpler will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Almeta’s life will be celebrated on July 13, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at The First Pentecostal Holiness Church of Goldsboro, NC, with Rev. Jim Whitfield and Rev. Bill Rose officiating. The family will receive friends at 2:00 at the church preceding the service and at other times at the home of Jim and Kim Wall, 411 Fedelon Trail, Goldsboro, NC. Interment will be on July 14, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park.

The family is grateful and would like to thank the many people who cared for Almeta: her in-home caregivers; the ER and 3rd floor staffs of Wayne Memorial Hospital; the staff of Kitty Askins Hospice Center for their excellent and tender care, not only of her, but of her family.

In lieu of flowers, she requested that memorials be given in her memory to The First Pentecostal Holiness Church, 1100 The First Church Road, Goldsboro, NC 27530.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.

Almeta often recounted to her children, the day she gave her heart to Jesus. It would bring tears to her eyes, tears of joy at the work of the Lord in her life. The reality of Psalm 61:5 is real to them—“You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.”