Maurine Grigsby Forester of Grand Prairie, Texas passed away peacefully on Friday, January 31, 2014 while a resident of Horizon Bay at the age of 98. She was born in Rusk County, Texas on September 24, 1915. Maurine was preceded in death by her parents Thomas & Ida Grigsby of Rusk County Texas, her husband Harold Forester of Grand Prairie, her son Bobby Price of Ruston, LA, and her daughter Cheryl Abrams of Irving, TX. She is survived by her daughter-in-law Patsy Price of Ruston, LA, her grandson Barry and wife Penny Price (sons Tyler and Josh) of Mooresville, NC, her granddaughter Kami and husband Danny Proulx of Carrollton, TX, her great-granddaughter Megan Price of Fort Mill, SC and her niece Nelda and husband Richard Thornton of Rusk County, TX. Maurine graduated from Tatum High School in Tatum, TX. She began her professional career as a seamstress in Henderson, TX before moving to Dallas in 1948. A few years later, she began working for the LTV Airplane Factory in Grand Prairie retiring in 1976. In 1983, at the young age of 68, she received her real estate license and began working for Red Carpet Real Estate. While working there in 1991, she was named Realtor of the Year. She joined the Grand Prairie Chamber of Commerce and became active in the Branding Irons, a Welcoming Committee for the Chamber. After receiving the Branding Iron of the Year award five times, it was renamed as the Maurine G Forester Branding Iron Award in honor of her dedication to the community. After retiring from real estate, she became active at Fairview Baptist Church and volunteered in the Women's Division of the Chamber of Commerce. She assisted with numerous promotional mailings and in her personal time she loved solving crossword puzzles. "If you want something done ask a busy person" certainly applied to Maurine Forester. She was noted for her service to the community, her devotion to her friends and family, and a role-model in the way she lived her life. Her family will miss her strength, hospitality and generosity. What an inspiration! The family wishes to express their utmost gratitude to Lila Thorn, a dear friend, and the various care givers at Visiting Angels. Pall Bearers: Johnny Eddlemon, Al Hunt, Ron McCuller, Larry Stefka, Kim Thorne and Tommy Winn. Visitation is scheduled for 5-7pm at Bean Massey Funeral Home in Grand Prairie, TX on Monday, February 3, 2014. The memorial service is scheduled for 10am at the Fairview Baptist Church on Tuesday, February 4, 2014, followed by a burial service in Stewart Cemetery in Rusk County.
Published in Dallas Morning News on Feb. 3, 2014