Martha Forbis

Martha Elizabeth Burdette Forbis, 95, of Spartanburg, SC, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2023, at home. Born September 6, 1927, in Spartanburg County, she was the daughter of the late Columbus Roy and Mary Ethel Smith Burdette.

Mrs. Forbis graduated from Spartanburg High School, and then went on to graduate from Spartanburg General Hospital School of Nursing in 1948. She was employed by Spartanburg General Hospital from 1948 to 1970 as Head Nurse and Interim Operating Room Supervisor. She then became Director of Surgical Services with Doctor’s Memorial Hospital in 1970. Mrs. Forbis also served on the Surgical Technician Advisory Committee of Spartanburg Technical College. She retired in 1992 after a 44-year nursing career. Mrs. Forbis was a member of Second Presbyterian Church in Spartanburg, where she volunteered with the soup kitchen.

Survivors include her sister, Mary Ethel Burdette Ficklin; children, Judy Forbis Kilgore of Albemarle, NC and Debra Forbis Henderson (Jeff) of Spartanburg, SC; daughter-in-law, Jenny Forbis (predeceased son, Jimmy Forbis); grandchildren, Marci Rogers Foster (Garland), Chris Pack (Kellie), Jason Forbis, Brad Kilgore (Mary Emily), Lauren Watson, and Meagan Watson; great-grandchildren, Bray Rouse, Cannon Pack, Madison Forbis, Bella Forbis, Brayden Forbis, Ryan Foster, Rea Kilgore, and Emmy Kilgore; nephews, Scott Ficklin and Gregg Ficklin; and great-nephew, Kyle Ficklin. She was predeceased by her husband, Marvin James Forbis; son, James “Jimmy” Roy Forbis; and son-in-law, Samuel R. Kilgore, MD.

Graveside service will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, February 17, 2023 in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Road, Spartanburg, SC 29307, conducted by The Rev. Danny Garrett. Visitation will follow at the graveside.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 438 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29303 or to Spartanburg Regional Hospice, PO Box 2624, Spartanburg, SC 29304.

Floyd’s North Church Street Chapel