Zachariah Forsythe

Zachariah “Buddy” Forsythe entered this world on April 14, 1922…”dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return” (Genesis 2:19) and on Tuesday, May 17, 2005 at 2:00p.m. at 1908 Boone Street his spirit returned to God.Let’s turn the sand in the hour-glass back ninety-two years to Guilford Forsythe and Pearl Hooks Forsythe’s children in birth order. Garland, Nina F. Pitt, Connie F. Williams, Mable F. Cofield, Eris F. Cherry, Marie F. Johnson, Zachariah, Barthony, Rudolph and Mary F. Baker were all born in the township of Lucama Cross Roads, Wilson, North Carolina. Mary is the last surviving child. Guilford, Pearl, and their children and approximately 199 other African American families from throughout the Southeast United States traveled to Halifax County, Tillery, North Carolina to participate in President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal (forty acres and a mule) from 1933-1942.The Forsythe's accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and were faithful members of Macedonia Baptist Church in Wilson, North Carolina; after moving to Tillery they transferred their membership to Tillery Chapel Baptist Church (formerly known as the Old Johnson Church).After relocating to Baltimore, Maryland, Zachariah met and married Janie Ervin and out of their union, God blessed them with one daughter, Angela.Zachariah, known by his family and friends as “Bubby” loved his family; he was very personable and enjoyed social gatherings, especially with family. He loved his siblings and would not hesitate to help them financially. Buddy also enjoyed fishing, hunting with his nephew Edwin Johnson and his best friends, John Thomas and William James Hudson.For thirty-five years Buddy lived in the home of Lewis Mitchell. The family would like to thank Lewis for treating Buddy like his own father; also, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention Michelle Johnson for cooking Buddy’s meals and all of the other innumerable tasks that she performed.Like the faded flowers of the Dogwood Tree, the final chapter is closed on Zachariah Forsythe-the last surviving maternal great-grandson of emancipated slaves, Henry and Susky Hooks; also, he is the last surviving paternal grandson of emancipated slaves Mack Forsythe and his second wife Mary Meeks-Forsythe. As they did years before, Buddy walks into Jerusalem just like John.Fond memories of Zachariah will be cherished by two daughters: Angela L. Mills-Messiah (Iman Ali) and Delice Hilliard (Nathaniel); five grandchildren: Tyrone Tillman, Theresa Tillman, Tweneytta Tillman, Lindzee Alston, and Michael Watkins; eight great grandchildren; sister, Mary F. Baker, Raleigh, N. C.; one sister-in-law, Clementine Forsythe and a host of nieces, nephews and friends that loved him.

Tributes

Zachariah Forsythe

April 14, 1922 - May 17, 2005