Carroll Forrest

Carroll Wayne Forrest, 85, of Abilene, passed away on Wednesday, June 14, 2023.

Friends and family are invited to pay their respects Tuesday, June 20, between 1:00 pm and 8:00 pm at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. A graveside service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, June 21 at Elmwood Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home.

Carroll was born in Abilene to Louis Forrest and Callie Grigg Forrest on May 24, 1938. He graduated high point boy from Wylie High School in 1956. He went on to receive his Bachelors degree in education from McMurry College, and then received a Masters from Texas Tech, as well as an Administrative degree from Sul Ross. He married Betty Payne on August 5, 1960, in Seminole, TX. Carroll taught school for 29 years in Odessa, including at the Ector County Youth Center. Carroll was very involved with his students in science fairs and in their personal lives. He led many Bible studies, and he learned Hebrew. He served many years as a Gideon. Carroll was active in Highland United Methodist Church in Odessa and in the senior program at First Methodist Church in Abilene. He was skilled in woodworking and was a specialist in cacti. He and his wife enjoyed traveling. They visited all 50 states and 4 different continents.

Carroll was preceded in death by his father, Louis Forrest; his mother, Callie Grigg Forrest; his wife, Betty Payne Forrest; and his sister, Billie Shofner Griffith.

Carroll is survived by his daughter, Shellie Forrest Warren (and John Warren); daughter Shirla Forrest Hutto (and Greg Hutto); four grandchildren: Tara Warren Moore (and Trey Moore); Joshua Hutto, Bethany Hutto, and Isabella Hutto, and one great-grandson.

Memorials may be given to First Methodist Church or to the Gideons.

The family of Carroll Forrest would like to thank First Methodist Church for all of their support through this difficult time.