Forrest Thomas McKie

North Augusta, SC—Memorial Services for Mr. Forrest Thomas McKie, 72, who passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on May 28, 2026, will be conducted this Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock in Grace United Methodist Church. Dr. John M. Newell, III officiating. Born on New Year’s Eve in 1953, Forrest was a lifelong resident of North Augusta and a proud product of its public schools. He graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1976 and earned his Master of Science the following year. Aside from his years in Columbia, Forrest spent 67 of his 72 years living at two addresses on Martintown Road — the community and roads he knew by heart. On January 8, 1977, he married the love of his life, JoAnn McKie. Together they shared 49 years of marriage and built a beautiful life in their historic family home, where they raised their two daughters. Forrest was a devoted father who faithfully loved Anna and Rachel – their success in life, in large part, is due to his wise and practical counsel. Forrest never met a stranger. He could strike up a conversation with anyone about anything. At church, on a job site, or running into friends around town, he made people feel welcome and valued. He was funny, tender-hearted and deeply emotional. His laugh was unforgettable, and he could rarely pray without shedding a tear. He devoted his professional life to commercial and residential real estate, helping shape the landscape of his hometown by buying, selling or building more than 300 homes throughout the area. He was a dedicated member of both the Augusta Home Builders Association and the Greater Augusta Board of Realtors. He was a recipient of the H. Gould Barrett Award, given for his exceptional real estate work in the Augusta area. A man of deep and abiding faith, Forrest spent most of his life as a member of Grace United Methodist Church, where he was inspired to join by Reverend Dr. John Younginer, Jr. He was an active member of the Seekers Sunday School class and generously gave his time to the church community. When he was not teaching Sunday School, he could often be found wearing an apron and cooking meals for the youth ministry he cared for so deeply. Forrest also quietly mentored several young men in North Augusta during their formative years, and many considered him a guiding light and steady presence in their lives. He was an avid fisherman, hunter and cook. He enjoyed debating world economics nearly as much as making fishing lures by hand. If he was not driving the roads of North Augusta, he was likely sitting at the Smile Station with a cup of coffee and a conversation waiting to happen. To know Forrest was to know that he loved everyone unconditionally – and we loved him back. None of us will be the same without him. Forrest was preceded in death by his parents, George O. and Rachel McKie, and his dear friend, Junior Wright. In addition to his beloved wife, JoAnn, he is survived by his brother, Felix (Sherry) McKie; his daughters, Anna (Bruce) Stoy and Rachel (Marcus) Covar; and his cherished grandchildren, Caroline and Hammond Covar and Forrest Jane Stoy. The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. John Velky, Dr. Benjamin Barnes and the dedicated SICU and MICU staff at WellStar MCG for their compassionate care, professionalism and kindness shown throughout this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Forrest’s name to the Children and Youth Ministry at Grace United Methodist Church.

Forrest Thomas McKie

December 31, 1953 - May 28, 2026