1511 El Rancho Dr.
Sun City Center, Florida 33573
Remembering the Life of
Ellouise Bray Forte
February 4, 1930 - November 17, 2012
Devoted Mother and Pastor's Wife
Ellouise Bray was born in a sawmill Community in lower Alabama, She had three brothers. Her brother James survives her and lives in Ormond Beach, Florida. During her childhood, she lived in Alabama and northwest Florida. At Escambia County High School in Atmore, Alabama she met and fell in love with Tommy Forte, whom she married in 1949 soon after completing her first semester at Alabama College in Montevallo, Alabama. They started their life together in Washington DC, where Tommy was stationed at nearby Andrews Air Force Base. Tommy and Ellouise had three children: Jeff, Dan and Nancy. Ellouise was a devoted mother and as a pastor's wife, she generously served for many years in numerous churches as choir director, pianist, and soloist with her beautiful singing voice. Upon retirement from Hillsborough County Schools, she and Tommy moved to Sun City Center and became active at Friendship Baptist Church. After Tommy's death in 2001, Ellouise continued to be active at the church by playing the organ and teaching a Sunday School class. She had many church friends, whom she treasured. In addition to church activities, she served as a reading tutor, hospice volunteer and lent her voice to the Sun City Center Women's Chorus for a number of seasons. She was also especially proud of being a grandmother and great grandmother.
