Heritage & Family Tree
Honoring our roots and celebrating the generations that connect us.
Our Legacy
James & Pearl Forcine
Our family tree is strong and blessed. Our lines may grow in different directions, yet the roots remain as one in love.
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The Forcine Family Legacy
Early Life and Ancestry
Rosa and Charles' Family
Rosa and Charles married in 1909 and had seven children:
- Gussie Forcine (1909)
- Eustella Forcine (1911)
- Laurena Forcine Dallas (1916)
- James Forcine (1917)
- Joshua Forcine (1921)
- Myrtle Frain (1922)
- Lindy Forcine (1925)
James Forcine's Journey
James Forcine was born as the fourth child of Rosa and Charles Forcine in Scarlet Community, a community that was predominately black community just west of Woodbine, Georgia. Scarlet was a thriving community. At that time, the county seat of Camden County was in the Jefferson Community. James grew up surrounded by family and community engagement, particularly within their local church, Westlight Baptist Church. Before the Scarlet community decided to start a Baptist church in their community, they would walk to all the way to St. Mary’s, Ga. to the First African Baptist Church to worship. Stories are told that this ritual went on for several years. Then the community, along with James’ father, Charles, The Greens, The Westons, The Drummonds, The Sibley’s, got together and started having church under a bush harbor on the land where Westlight Baptist Church sits at now. Then, later a church was built. His father, Charles, served as a deacon, while his mother, Rosa, contributed as a mother of the church and a singer in the Senior Choir. Stories are told that Rosa Forcine was the church musician for many years. Rosa was also known for her impressive gardening skills, often selling or donating fresh produce to the community.
Rosa Green hailed from an affluent family, well-regarded in Scarlet. Her parents were Mallory Green and Malinda Weston Green. Her brother, Cleveland Green, was also a deacon at Westlight Baptist Church, and he owned a grocery store and served as the community barber, while Rosa’s sister, Ari Green, was also a notable figure and contralto singer. And there was another sister, Nena Green, she died at an early age.
1935, James dad, Charles Forcine died and now James was looked up to as the head of the family. Therefore, James wanted to better his life and make a decent living for his siblings. James left Scarlet in search of better opportunities, joining what was then known as the CCC, Civilian Conservation Corps, part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt “New Deal” program to put many Americans make to work after the Great Depression. When the program started the men had to be between the age of 18 and 26, and they had to be unmarried. Enlistment was for at least a year when the men signed up. They had to be physically fit, because it was hard labor. The men were paid $30 per month, with a mandatory $25 allotment going back to their families of the men, which made life easier for the families. Camps were set up in all states. Enrollment peaked at the end of 1935, when there were over 500,000 located in 2,600 camps in operation in all states. There was segregation in the camps. The camp in Monticello was an all-black camp. He was stationed in Monticello, Georgia, at the Conservation Camp. It was here he met Lillie Pearl Goolsby, who worked in the camp's laundry room. Despite already dating someone else, Lillie Pearl was charmed by James' persistence, and they began courting.
Lillie Pearl Goolsby
Lillie Pearl was born on August 5, 1919, as the oldest child and the only daughter of Christopher Goolsby and Julia Goolsby in Monticello, Ga. Pearl was known for her good looks and her bowlegs. She was also known for her quick tongue and being direct. Later, she was blessed with a baby brother, Joseph Goolsby, affectionately called Uncle Joe.
It is said that Pearl started working at the CCC Camp in Monticello in the summer of 1935. She began there right after she finished high school. She was working in the laundry room as a presser and washer. She was responsible for washing and pressing the uniforms of the men at the camp. It was there that she encountered a young handsome man named James Forcine. It is said that when she met James Forcine, she was already seeing someone else. It is said that James kept being persistent. He would often bring his clothes that were not even dirty or wrinkly to the laundry room, just so he could see Pearl. His persistence won her over. They began dating, or as they would call it back then, they began “courting” in 1937.
In 1938, James asked Pearl to be his wife, and they married on September 11, 1938 in Monticello, Ga.
Marriage and Family Life
James and Lillie Pearl married on September 11, 1938, in Monticello, Georgia. Because he was now married, he had to resign from the job at the CCC Camp. After a brief return to Scarlet, they decided to settle back in Monticello, where their first child, James Abron Sr. ("Buck"), was born in 1939. They soon moved back to Scarlet, where they began building their life. They rented a house from a family member, Mr. Nat Mitchell, and they stayed there for many years, and eventually purchasing a house for $3,000 in 1950, which stands as the Forcine Estate today.
The surviving children of James and Pearl Forcine
From left to right: Julia, Mary, Shirley, Cheryl, Leonard
James and Pearl had eight children:
- James Abron Forcine “Buck” (February 10, 1939 – May 17, 1960) (deceased- due to a seizure while fishing)
- Julia Mae Forcine Massey (March 4, 1940)
- Leonard Dupree Forcine (August 13, 1941)
- Mary Agnes McDowell (October 9, 1942)
- Shirley Marie Forcine Knight (February 18, 1944)
- Elizabeth Marie Forcine James (October 26, 1946 – December 11, 1992 – deceased)
- Bernard James Forcine (August 3, 1948 – May 9, 1978 – deceased)
- Cheryl Elaine Forcine Banks (December 21, 1956)
Community and Church Involvement
James and Pearl were deeply involved in their church. James served as a deacon and Chairman of the Deacon Board for over 25 years. Pearl was active in the choir, served as a deaconess, and was Church Mother for over 20 years. Pearl was also known for her cooking abilities and her baking skills. She would bake the best red velvet and sweet potato pie you would ever taste. James worked for the city of Woodbine for 21 years before retiring. He also owned and operated a Welling and Septic company for over 30 years. It was in his businesses that he would often get his grandsons, like Robert Massey, Timmy, Mackie, and Man, and work them sun up to sun down, and it is told that he didn’t pay them any money, they may have gotten a chicken box from Jiffy’s; but they got the values of hard work and a honest living. James also owned the C&J Variety Store, which served the community until his health declined in the mid-1980s. Pearl worked as a cook at Camden County High School and later as a domestic worker.
The Forcine Legacy
Children and Grandchildren
The Forcine family tree expanded significantly, with eight children leading to 31 grandchildren, over 60 great-grandchildren, over 40 great-great-grandchildren… The legacy of James and Pearl Forcine will live on forever.
Here is a list of the 2nd generation of James and Pearl Forcine: The Grandchildren
1. Julia Mae Forcine Massey (March 4, 1940)
Children
- Robert Massey, Jr.
- Timothy Massey
- Jennifer Massey-Baker
- Shelia Butler (deceased)
- Selina Butler Bell
- Stanley Butler (deceased)
2. Leonard Dupree Forcine (August 13, 1941)
- Reggie Forcine, Sr.
- Darryl Spatcher (deceased)
- Tina Forcine
- Felipo Williams
3. Mary Agnes McDowell (October 9, 1942)
- Al McDowell
- Audrey McDowell
- Ronnie McDowell
- Genelle McDowell
- Lisa McDowell
4. Shirley Marie Forcine Knight (February 18, 1944)
- Felecia Knight Horne
- Sonia Knight Albertie
- McDonald Knight
- Phyllis Knight Drummond
- Mack Daniel Knight
- Mack De’Von Knight
Kizziler Shantrell - Knight
- Mack Lakendrick Knight (deceased)
5. Elizabeth Marie Forcine James (October 26, 1946 – December 11, 1992 – deceased)
- Keith James
- Jack Forcine
- Keshia James
- Kristy James
6. Bernard James Forcine (August 3, 1948 – May 9, 1978 – deceased)
- Donna Forcine Varner
- Tonya Forcine Parker
- Anthony Watts
7. Cheryl Elaine Forcine Banks (December 21, 1956)
- Johntae Banks
Great and Great-Great-Grandchildren
The family continues to grow with over 80 great-grandchildren and over 100 great-great-grandchildren, ensuring that James and Pearl's love and values continue to influence future generations.
The Forcine family's story is one of perseverance, community involvement, and enduring love. From the early days in Scarlet to the extensive family network today, the legacy of James and Lillie Pearl Forcine continues to thrive through their descendants.