Freddie Hale Forbes, 81, of Roanoke, formerly of 113 Spruce Street, Covington, VA, passed away at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital on Thursday, April 30, 2009.

Mr. Forbes was born May 27th, 1927 to Irvin Boyd and Hallie Switzer Forbes in Covington.

He served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was a retired manager for Red Bull Lumber Company.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings: John Allen Forbes, Vivian Forbes Benson and Virginia Forbes Johnson; and a son, Gary Arthur Forbes.

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Erma Lea Kimberlin Forbes; four sons: Roy Allen Forbes of Haddonfield, NJ, Robert Hale (Buddy) and Wanda Forbes of Morristown, TN, Boyd Sullivan (Sully) and Amy Martin Forbes of Goode, VA, SFC Floyd Emerson and Heike Anna Forbes of Hosenfeld, Germany; and two daughters, Linda Forbes White and husband, Brian Thomas White of Clifton Forge, VA, and Cindy Lea Forbes of Roanoke, VA; grandsons, Steve Forbes, John Forbes, Tony Forbes, Matthew Forbes, Douglas Hall, Michael White, Jeremy Forbes, Nicholas Forbes and granddaughters, Rebecca Harrison, Leona Forbes, Jessica Wiseman, Amanda Keen, Joanna Forbes, and Alexandra Forbes; thirty great-grandchildren, and all of his special friends

The memorial service will be held on Monday evening at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge with Pastor Bill Gilliland officiating. Attire is casual, please come as you are. The family will receive friends following the service at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial tributes take the form of contributions to your local chapter of The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

The Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, Va., is in charge of arrangements.