Forrest Clifford Gettys

Forrest Clifford Gettys, age 97 of Hendersonville, died August 17, 2021, with his family by his

side at Life Care Skilled Nursing in Hendersonville. A private burial will be held at Duncan’s

Creek Church Cemetery in the Duncan’s Creek community in Rutherford County. A memorial

service will also be held for the public at Reformation Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville on

Sunday August 22nd at 4:00pm. Forrest was preceded in death by his wife, Millie Inez Hunt

Gettys in 2012 and his siblings Ernest, Mary. Annie, George, Bill, and Evan.

 

He was a loving husband and father, and devoted to his church family at Reformation, and to his

country, and the Cummings Cove community.

 

Survivors include his three daughters: Connie Witham of Apex, N.C.; Carolyn and David Taylor

of Hendersonville, N.C.; and Brenda and James Centracchio of Coventry, RI.; and 3

grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

 

Forrest “Cliff” Gettys was born to Zachariah and Flossie Gettys on August 30, 1923 in the

Duncan’s Creek Community of rural Rutherford County. After graduating from Hollis High School

in 1942 he joined the US Coast & Geodetic Survey as a surveyor traveling around the country.

This was quite an adventure for a “country boy” and these sixteen months provided him

valuable experience which led to placement in the Survey Unit when he joined the Army.

In June of 1943 Cliff was inducted into the Army at Camp Croft, SC where he joined the 42nd

Infantry, the Rainbow Division. On January 5, 1945 his division arrived in Marseille, France and

he remained in Europe with the Occupation Forces until March 1946. After his discharge from

the Army Cliff used the GI Bill to obtain an education as an accountant and was hired by

Burroughs Corporation where he worked for 39 years.

 

Cliff married his high school sweetheart, Inez, on February 11, 1948. This was quite a leap of

faith for her as he did not have confirmation at that time of his hiring at Burroughs. That came

weeks later and they started their married life in Charlotte. The times after the war were rough

for many, including this young couple, however their love for each other and the Lord sustained

them then, and during their 64 years of marriage.

 

Cliff’s career with Burroughs required many moves and after finding a place for his family to live

one of the first things he did was to find a church for his family to attend. A Christian education

and community for his family was an important aspect of his role as husband and father. Cliff

served as an elder, decon, and church treasurer in several of the churches they attended.

Cliff was an enthusiastic golfer and living in a golfing community was one reason Cliff and Inez

moved to Cummings Cove from Detroit, Michigan when he retired, that and the weather. Once

retired Cliff had the time to play golf and watch his favorite sports on television; in the spring and

summer the Red Soxs and golf all year. During the winter months Carolina basketball was his

passion.

 

Cliff said many times that as he looked back on his life he could clearly see the hand of God

leading him along the way. His early years in rural North Carolina instilled in him the love of

family and relationships, the importance of education, working hard and doing your best, and

being generous with your love and gifts.

 

The family is appreciative of the care provided by Four Seasons Hospice,and for the therapy

and nursing staff at Life Care, and staff at The Bridge.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Clifford to Reformation Presbyterian

Church, 120 7th Ave West, Hendersonville, NC. 28792 or Black Mountain Home for Children,

Youth and Families, 80 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements and an online guest registry is

available at www.padgettking.com

 

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.