Funeral services for Ben Edward Forshee, 83, of Moscow, Texas, will be held Monday, April 26, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church in Corrigan, Texas with Pastor Mike Waters officiating. Interment will follow in the Holhausen-Darby Cemetery in Moscow, Texas. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 25, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., in the Cochran Funeral Home in Livingston, Texas.

Ben Edward Forshee was born April 10, 1938 in Birmingham Alabama. He was a proud descendant of Alabama dairy farmers on his father's side and Tennessee Cherokee/Chickasaw tribal members on his mother's side.  Ben cherished the times he spent as a child listening to his maternal grandfather tell stories of tribal life and hunting in the Tennessee mountains as a boy.  Ben always believed his respect for the land and deep love of dogs and horses had been inherited from his Native American roots.  Ben also possessed an understanding of anything mechanical and used that knowledge throughout his life, from disassembling and rebuilding motor scooters as a child to employment as a front-end brake specialist to his final occupation with Southern Pacific Railroad-first in the locomotive brake shop, to train engineer and finally to Trainmaster of the Depot in Lufkin, Texas.  He was never afraid to tackle a project and would leave no chore undone.  Ben had a strong work ethic and continued to work his farm many years after his formal retirement from the railroad.

Ben lived his early years in Alabama and then, as a preteen, moved with his father, mother and older sister to Houston Texas.  There he met his future wife, Charlene, and demonstrated his love by chasing her (with his 130cc scooter) all over the neighborhood every time he saw her walking.  She's considered him to be a pest and did not like the skinny brat one bit.  But as he matured, Ben's method of courting became less annoying and one day Charlene discovered that she loved him too. They were married on August 21, 1955 and, for the past 65 years, they have traveled life's road together sharing laughter, tears, joys and sorrows.

Ben had a tremendous vision of what he wanted his farm to be and then literally cleared the thicket, built his home and farm structures, put-up fencing and maintained his farm with great pride.  By this, Ben succeeded in leaving a wonderful legacy to his wife and family.  He also had many other interests and talents, including collecting railroad artifacts, building birdhouses and plant holders, tinkering with "stuff", reading, studying history, riding horses and writing poetry.

Ben was a member of the First Methodist Church of Moscow Texas and attended Sunday school and service every Sunday until his illness became too severe.  He also contributed his time, skills and resources to Church and community events when he was able.  Ben was the Director of the CCRC Food Bank for many years and felt honored to help those in need.   He also served on the board of directors for the Holhausen-Darby Cemetery, the very same place of his final rest.

Ben is preceded in death by his father Ernest, his mother Winnie and his sister Ann.  He leaves behind his loving wife, Charlene and three daughters and their husbands-Vicki and Virgil Bryan of Willis, Texas; Michelle (Midgee) and Matt Arbaugh of Galveston, Texas; and Ann and Larry Moore of Friendswood, Texas, as well as grand and great grandchildren.  He will also be missed by many friends in the community, his railroad friends and his Church family.

Pallbearers: Dub Cox, Matt Arbaugh, Todd Cella, Lance Kattner, Steve Platt, Randy Hendry

Honorary Pallbearer: Ned Smith