Johnny Will Forrester

Mr. Johnny Forrester, age 68, of Dothan, Alabama passed away Wednesday, October 2, 2019.

Johnny Will Forrester was born on March 17, 1951 in Dothan, AL to Mary Lou Forrester and Edward Vaughn.  He was raised by his loving grandparents John C. and Vera Forrester.

From an early age, Johnny developed a love for the arts.  The connection to all things musical and artistic would stay with him for the rest of his life.  Johnny accepted Christ at an early age  and was a member of the Greater Beulah Baptist Church where his grandmother, Vera, was a gifted pianist and organ player.

He as a member of the Ewell Douglas Male Choir, Boy Scouts of America and played baseball with the Adams Street Tornadoes League.  These are the beginnings of a lifelong love of music and dedication to service.

Johnny was a 1969 graduate of Carver High School.  He was active in clubs and organizations during his time as a student.  After graduating high school, he made the life changing decision to attend Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama.  This decision would prove to be the most important in his life.  He earned a Bachelor Degree in Counseling in 1973 and a Master of Education degree in 1975.  During his time as a student at ASU, Johnny was very active in the Marching Hornets Band, clubs, organizations and community service.  He sang with "The Young Hearts" musical group and was a founding member of the musical group "Blue Love".  Blue Love and The Inner Circle of Pandemonium had a successful music career during the 70's and were well known on the ASU campus and  in Montgomery and the surrounding areas.

Johnny pledged Alpha Phi Alpha in 1971.  He was an active member and mentor to many of his fellow fraternity brothers and was influential in changing the lives of many for the better.  He will be remembered for his kindness, warm personality, friendliness and positivity.  This made him a standout fraternity brother who will be greatly missed to all that knew him.  

Johnny was a "Mighty Marching Hornet" during the time when the band was all male in 1969.  He and the Hornets marched under the direction of the late, great Dr. Thomas E. Lyle.  This sparked a lifelong love and commitment to following the Marching Hornets as an avid supporter and promoter throughout his life.  

In 1978, Johnny married Barbara Ann Williams of Demopolis, AL at Saint John AME Church in Montgomery, AL and to their union, two children were born.  Kimberly Nicole was born in 1980 and Kristy LaDawn in 1985.  Johnny leaves behind his grandsons: Christopher Phillip and Zachary John who he adored and cherished very much.

True to the calling God placed on his life to help others, Johnny became an art teacher at Rebecca Comer High School in Barbour County.  Later he moved to become a counselor with the Upward Bound Program at ASU and started the Special Services program and became their first director.  He also became a student advisor in the Advisement Center at ASU.  He used his gifted voice to fill the airways as a disc jockey at WVAS radio station where he worked part time.

In 1983, he started his journey working for Montgomery Public Schools.  He taught art at Carver High, Bellingrath Junior High, Capital Heights Junior High and McIntyre.  These years of dedication and service as an educator were very rewarding for him and his students.  Mr. Forrester was recognized for his artworks and paintings and his students won many awards and displayed their artwork throughout the schools and at art fairs in the community.

Johnny leaves his loving memories to be cherished by his devoted daughters: Kimberly (Phillip) and Kristy; grandchildren: Christopher Phillip and Zachary John; loving father: Edward Vaughn; ex-wife: Barbara Forrester; sisters: Michelle (Adonis), Paul (Mark deceased), Attalah Vaughn King (Vaughn), Sybil Vaughn, Sahran Vaughn Webb (Todd), Eric Vaughn (Durene);

Vaughn Family Nieces and Nephews: Kofi and Khari King, Anna and Exodus Webb, Payton, Ananda and Wynton Vaughn.

Williams Family Nieces and Nephews: Sabrina Moore Sears (Collin), Damon Moore (Kim), Alex Williams ( Khalilah), Alexis Williams (Jahmel), Jonnie Irvin (Bruce), Aaron Williams (Aleta), April Williams, Amber Williams, Amy Williams Robinson (Mike), Alfred Williams, Adrian Williams, Amelia Williams, Edwina Davis, Alexander Williams; Myra Hayes Savage, Brian Hayes (Nakisha), Curtis Hayes (Shontai); Corey Johnson (Amber), Melody Sanders (E.J.), Cherish Hall (Micah); A.J. Locke, Chavonne Locke, Kathy Daniels Mattmann (James), Vanis Daniels (Jennifer); Tauhida Malik Melendez (Eric), Hakimah Malik, Aisha Malik, Kadija Redman (Lance); Terry Watkins (Anita), Wayne Watkins, Brandon Watkins (Mimi), Ryan Watkins, Erica Ware and Tremayne "Tracy" Williams (LaShunda).

Williams Family: Reverend Lonnie Williams, deceased, Mrs. Carolyn Moore (Will Jr.), Mr. Alex Williams, Ms. Vivian Curry, Mrs. Linda Johnson (Larry) Mrs. Edna Malik (Taha), Mrs. Lonnie Locke (Dan), Ms. Marilyn Wise, Mr. Ronald Dean Williams, Mrs. Rosa Nell Watkins (Willie), Mrs. Annie Ware (Eric) and Ms. Lucy Armstrong.

Special Friends: Ms. Charlotte Croskery Watkins, (deceased), Ms. Cedricka Watkins, Mrs. Alma Croskery (Reverend C.B, deceased), Mrs. Aljanetta Croskery Rugley (Larry), Ms. Kirktina Croskery, Skylar Rugley, Roderick Williams, Jamicia Croskery, Mrs. Dorenda Adams (Leon, deceased), Mrs. Lillie Means (Tyrone), Dr. Evelyn Hodge (Bill), Ms. Acquanetta Bracy, Mrs. Oneita Farrow, Mr. Frank White (Cecilia), Mrs. Helen McKinney, deceased (Rev E.W., deceased), Mrs. Brenda McKinney Mays (Abraham) “Blue Love” band members: Jimmy Mitchell, deceased and Calvin ‘Sweet Man’ Baxter.

“The Inner Circle of Pandemonium” band members: Doug Campbell, Donnie Campbell, Henry Campbell, Ted White, Vincent Campbell, Joseph ‘Hulk’ Jackson, Roland Jackson, Charles ‘Tootsie’ Goodwin; “3-D” band members: Stan ‘Chilly’ Cooks, Richard ‘Chinese’ Williams, Aveila King, Dennis Lee, George ‘Spike’ Nealy, Lionel Woodyard, the late great Dr. Thomas E. Lyle.

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