Howard Forris Barnhill, 78, of Ivanhoe went home to join his heavenly Father on Tuesday, September 23, 2014 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice LifeCare Center with family reciting the 23rd Psalm at his bedside.

He was born September 28, 1935 in Bladen County to the late Edmond Lee Barnhill and Mavis Barnhill.

To cherish his memory, Forris leaves his devoted wife of 16 years, Rebecca "Becky" Rayfield Barnhill; children, Becky Lee, Beverly B. Lane, Chris Barnhill (Jan), Mary Louise Barnhill, Paul Blanchard (Suzanne) and Carla Cotten (James); grandchildren, Alex Lee (Brittney), Aaron Lane, Derek Lane, Sydney Lane, Brian Barnhill, Taryn Barnhill, Sarah Barnhill, Jamie Moore (Kristal), Emily Woodrich (Len Prince), Shelby Blanchard, Gabriel Blanchard, Justin Cotten, and Jonathan Cotten; five great grandchildren; brothers, Jerry Barnhill (Shirley) and Chester Barnhill (Claudia); and last, but least, beloved cat, Clementine.

Forris was a faithful member of Riley's Creek Baptist Church. After 38 years of service, Forris retired as Operations & Safety Manager at Four County EMC. In retirement Forris was not content to rest, he became a fulltime blueberry farmer, owning Blueberry Hill Farms, Inc.
First and foremost, Forris loved his wife, "BB" and cat, Clementine; secondly he loved turkey and deer hunting and fishing. Forris was a beautiful light who cast a beacon of faith, love, laughter and genuine kindness to family and friends. His greatest gift was the joy he brought others through his laughter with the warmth of his love and friendship he offered freely. Cherished memories of Forris are treasured.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Riley's Creek Baptist Church with The Rev. Jim Herchenhahn and The Rev. Art Sauer officiating. Burial will follow in Riverview Memorial Park. Casketbearers will be grandsons of Forris and honorary bearers will be Jay Milam, Charlie Groves, Jimmy Casteen, Norman Barnhill and Gene Jordan.

The family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday at Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home, Burgaw and at other times will be at the home of Forris and Becky Barnhill in Ivanhoe.

The family would like for you to consider making a gift in honor and memory of Forris to Riley's Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 19845 NC Hwy 210, Rocky Point, NC 28457.

Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family by selecting "Memory Wall" above.

Quinn-McGowen Funeral Home Burgaw Chapel

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 27, 2014 at Rileyâ