Rev. Forest Lee Prosser
A celebration of the life of Reverend Forest Lee Prosser will be held Wednesday, October 26th at 2:00 p.m. at Red Bank Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, TN, the family will receive guests following the service in the Fellowship Hall.
Rev. Forest Prosser was born and raised in Lebanon, MO, and passed away at age 85 on October 17, 2022, peacefully in his home in Chattanooga, TN after his battle with Leukemia. Rev. Prosser lived in Chattanooga over 44 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hershel and Alice Prosser of Lebanon, MO and son-in-law Tim Baker. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Mina Prosser; daughters Durinda Waters and Karen Baker; grandchildren Heather (David) Spirz; Krista (Brandon) Conner; Jordan (Drew) Hemphill; Jade (Tan) ill d hil ner) Hill; 6 great-grandchildren; brother Robert (Toni) Prosser of Henry, TN and sister Mary (Wally) Bunton of LaFeria, TX and many nieces and nephews.
Rev. Prosser was a leader in all aspects of life. As a Boy Scout, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and later became a Scoutmaster. He was student body president at his high school in Lebanon, MO. At Bethel College in McKenzie, TN, he was inducted into the Bethel Athletic Hall of Fame for his accomplishments in tennis. He received his Master of Divinity from the Cumberland Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 1962. He was a leader in the Tennessee Cumberland Presbyterian (CP) ministry, where his pastorates included: Highland Chapel, Dresden, Boliver, Whitehaven, Holly Grove, Double Springs, and Humboldt CP churches. At the Red Bank CP Church in Chattanooga, he served for 23 years and was named Pastor Emeritus after his retirement.
He served as Stated Clerk of Synod of the Southeast, was elected to serve as Moderator of the General Assembly serving as the leader of the denomination in 2013, and was called out of retirement to become “Presbyterial Pastor” for TN/GA serving as the “pastor to pastors” and liaison/mentor for Cross Cultural work. His legacy will live on through the Korean ministry he helped build and nurture. Through this he was able to mentor over 50 Korean pastors and organize the first CP Church of Korea.
He was most importantly a leader in his family where he especially loved his roles as husband, father, and grandfather. Rev. Forest Prosser had many passions and hobbies that include woodworking, fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, coaching his grandkids in tennis and track and recently made a small business out of his hand-crafted longbows, arrows and even a canoe.
Strong, energetic, hardworking, humble, giving, and fiercely loyal are just some of the words to describe him. Loved and respected by all who met him, he will be sincerely missed.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Red Bank Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 115 Morrison Springs Rd, Chattanooga, TN 37415.