- Date Of Death: September 17, 2021
- State: Indiana
Georgia Mae Durham–Forte, was born December 7, 1928, to Albert D. (Durham) McAfee and Ila (Crawford) Durham McAfee.
Georgia professed her faith in God early in life and was a faithful member and deaconess for over 60 years at Irvington First Baptist.
Georgia’s education started by attending Indianapolis Public School No. 87. She went on to attend Crispus Attucks High School, graduating as part of the Class of 1946. She later attended Indiana Business College.
Georgia learned her work ethic at an early age, due to her mother having a Rheumatic Heart ailment. She assisted in meal preparation and other household duties while being a full-time student. Later, she would take these skills in working at the Prenatal Ward of St. Vincent Hospital, where she was the first “Negro” attendee to have been hired. Georgia would later continue her nursing skills working at LaRue Carter & Robert W. Long Hospital’s. She would later work at Clark Drugstore, owned by Dr. Spurling Clark. Her duties at the drugstore ranged from helping to filling prescriptions, ordering supplies, to working behind the counter serving ice cream and malted shakes. It was at this time that she would eventually meet the love of her life, James O. Forte “Jimmy”.
On January 1, 1956, Georgia and James were united in marriage and shared almost forty years of marital bliss. During this marriage they were blessed with the birth of sons Anthony W. Forte and James Michael Forte. In later years, she also shined as an attentive daughter and caretaker to her father and older brother David E. Durham.
Georgia proved to be a devoted wife and homemaker. She was a frequent participate in the School #69 local PTA, candy drives, and movie of the month after school activities.
In nineteen-seventy-six, Jimmy and Georgia created James O. Forte Company. Georgia served as Vice-President and Treasurer for the company. It was during this time that they both excelled with the business, while touching the lives of their employees and work associates.
After the passing of her husband, Georgia strived to continued being the best person she could be for her family and friends. Always greeting everyone with a smile, she continued to instruct the next generation of grandchildren while instilling into them the values that are much needed in today’s world. Being blessed to live to ninety-two years of age, Georgia’s health began to weaken but her sprit remained strong. It is with this thought that I remember her saying the familiar fable quote “The race is not won by the quickest or the swift, but it is won by the one who can endure till the end”. With this thought in mind, Georgia truly finished her race in her own way and style!
Cherishing her memory are her sons, James M. Forte and Anthony W. Forte; grandchildren, LaShawn Moussa, Anthony Forte Jr., Andre Forte, Christopher Forte, and DeJuan Forte; god-children, Ashley-Greene Hogue and David Greene Jr.; cousins, Deborah Spicer, and the Dodd family of Marietta, Georgia; life long friend, Mrs. Janet Jackson.
Respectfully Submitted………. The Family
