Forstene Humphrey was born on November 7, 1933 in Ages Creek, Kentucky to Ed and Sarah Smith and lived a remarkable 91 years. She was one of seven siblings: Polly, Sherlene, Zona Faye, Eddy, William, and Ruby, and outlived all but Faye, leaving behind a legacy of love, creativity, and family.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at the Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home with Bro. Perry Dobbs officiating. Burial followed in the Barrenfork Cemetery.

Her life began in the hollers of Harlan County, where she faced early adversity, battling spinal meningitis which took her hearing and speech. Yet, she did not let these obstacles define her. Instead, she defined herself through her perseverance, her art, and the countless ways she touched our lives.

In 1963, she married Clarence Edward Humphrey, sharing two sons, Ronnie Lee and John Burton, before Clarence's untimely passing on Labor Day in 1983. She was preceded in death by her son, Ronnie, in 2003, her husband, her parents, and all but one of her siblings. Through John, she was blessed with four grandchildren: the twins, Brandon Shane and Amanda Forstene and their mother, Vivian Humphrey, Skylar Edward Boyd and his mother, Sandra Johnston, and Roland Ball. Additionally, through Christi, she gained three more grandchildren, Chris, Ronnie, and Daniel, further expanding her loving family. She cherished her role as a grandmother to eight great-grandchildren and had the joy of meeting one great-great-grandchild. She also had many nieces and nephews, too numerous to count, each of whom held a special place in her heart.

She was a trooper, an amazing woman who channeled her spirit into her art. Her creativity knew no bounds; from paintings that captured the essence of her world, to sculptures and carvings that stood as testaments to her skill, and crafts that filled our homes with love. Her garden was another expression of her soul, a place of beauty and growth that she tended to until her last year, sharing its bounty with all who knew and loved her.

Beyond her artistic endeavors, she was an avid photographer, amassing thousands of family photos over the years, each snapshot a memory, a story, a moment of joy preserved for eternity. Through her lens, she captured the essence of family, the joy of gatherings, and the simple beauty of life.

She also had a host of special friends she corresponded with through letters and social media up until she was unable to communicate, showing her love for connection and her ability to forge deep, lasting bonds across distances.

During the last months of her life, Christi Casada was there, caring for her with every need, keeping her as comfortable as humanly possible during her final days. This act of love and compassion was a testament to the bond they shared and the respect Christi had for her.

To her family, she was the heart of everything, a beacon of hope, a source of wisdom, and the keeper of family stories that will echo through generations.

As we say goodbye, we do so with heavy hearts but also with gratitude for the time we had. She left us too soon, but she left behind a legacy of love, resilience, and the simple joy of living. Let us honor her by living our lives with the same courage, love, and zest she showed every day, by creating beauty in our own ways, and by cherishing each moment as she did.

We will miss her dearly, but in our hearts, her laughter, her lessons, her art, and her love will continue to guide us.

Hickman-Strunk Funeral Home was honored to serve the family of Forstene Humphrey.