Forrest Clinton Strother

A funeral mass for native Gainesvillian Forrest Clinton Strother will be held on Friday, December 27, 2024, at 11 am at St. Michael Catholic Church. Father Tim Hepburn will serve as celebrant. Clint died Sunday, December 15, 2024, of a sudden illness. Interment will follow at the Alta Vista Cemetery.

Clint was born June 4, 1945, to Frances Wheeler McBrayer and Forrest Clinton Strother, Jr.  He attended Gainesville City Schools and the cerebral palsy school in Atlanta for four years.  His first job was as the elevator operator at the Dixie-Hunt Hotel where he made many friends until the hotel closed in 1982.  He then worked at the Holiday Inn Hotel owned by the McKibbons and later at their offices. 

Clint was a member of St. Michael Catholic Church and was blessed by their love and support.

Despite his disability, Clint always maintained a positive attitude and was an inspiration to his many friends and family.  Clint observed life very closely and through those insights created poetry, which was published in a booklet titled “Utopia”.  He loved nothing more than drinking a Coke and watching the Georgia Bulldogs, and listening to Elvis’s music, but most of all Clint loved spending time with his family.  He thought of himself as Rocky Balboa, the hero in the boxing movie series, always bouncing back from his setbacks.

The family wants to especially thank the Resting Nest for their kindness and care. Survivors include cousins Carol Ann Armstrong and Betsy Pennington (Gainesville), Eleanor McCormack and Lillian Law (Atlanta), Bill George (Albany), Len Ciaravella (Shreveport, LA), Betty Meadors (Macon), Julian Timberlake (Charleston, SC), Cotton Bahree (Coral Gables, FL), Matt Timberlake (Wilmington, NC), Emily Timberlake (Sante Fe, NM). 

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, that memorial contributions please be made to St. Michael Catholic Church, 1440 Pearce Circle, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 in Clint’s memory.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.