Merrill Maurice “Mo” Forte
Mr. Merrill Maurice “Mo” Forte was born on March 1, 1947, to Rosalee and Merrill Forte in Hannibal, Mo, He was proceeded in death by his parents, and sister, Betty Jean Scott. Maurice transitioned this life on February 26, 2021, at JRMC in Pine Bluff, AR.
Maurice had a lifelong career in sports, specifically football. He graduated Hannibal High School and received a full four-year football scholarship to the University of Minnesota. He was a standout running back and member of the 1967 championship team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree. After graduation, Mo played for one year with St. Louis Cardinals of the NFL. He went on to coach and his coaching career includes: 1970-1975 University of Minnesota (RB), 1976-1977 Duke University (WR), 19781979 Michigan State (WR/ TE), 1980-1981 Arizona State (WR), 1982-1987 NC A&T Head Coach (1986 MEAC Championship and Coach of the Year), 1988-1994 Denver Broncos (RB/WR), 1995-1996 Detroit Lions (RB), 19992002 Norfolk State Head Coach, 2004-2007 University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff Head Coach (2006 SWAC West Division Championship).
Mo touched many lives serving as a leader, father figure, brother, mentor, counselor and friend. He was a representative of the American Cancer society. Mo was a lifelong member of the XI Chapter of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. His post coaching career also included working for the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. Mo loved God and cultivated a strong relationship at an early age. He regularly attended church and was a member of 8th and Center St. Baptist Church of Hannibal, Mo., as a child. He attended many other churches throughout his life including New Saint Hurricane Missionary Baptist Church in Pine Bluff, Ark.
He leaves to cherish his memories his wife of 22 years, Joyce Forte of Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada; sister, Priscilla Forte of Hannibal, Mo.; brother-inlaw, General Donald Scott of Kansas City, Mo.; three children, Dawn Rushing (Brian) of Raleigh, N.C., Adam Walls of Pine Bluff, Ark., Tiffany Walls of Oakland, Calif.; six grandchildren, Brooklyn and Braxton Rushing of Raleigh, N.C., Autymn, Emilee Cook, Maximus, and Harper Blackman (Barbie) of Toronto, Canada; nephews, Jeffery Scott of Henderson, Nev., Mel Scott (Gailya) of Atlanta, Ga.; and a host of other family and friends in the US and Canada.
The family hosted friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2021, at Brown Funeral Home Pine Bluff, Ark. The memorial service began at 11 a.m. Monday, March 1, 2021, at Brown Funeral Home by Rev. Reginal Adams. Services were entrusted to Brown Funeral Home of Pine Bluff, Ark. Due to COVID-19 guidelines the family asked that the service be “Private”. www.Brownfuneralhomeandmortuary.com