Elva Angeline Forgey

ELVA ANGELINE CROUCH FORGEY born  Oct 9. 1929, Haynes Inlet, Coos County, Oregon to Perry and Blanche Crouch. She was the 3rd of 5 children. She had “4” older ½ siblings. She lived on a farm with apple orchard, pears, plums, and the one peach tree was Elva’s. They had chickens, Turkeys (which chased Elva), dairy cows, work horses, and a mule that the kids rode.

On Sabbath the family walked or caught a ride to Marshfield Church, now known as Coos Bay. It was a 7.7 mile one way walk. It is during this time in Elva’s life, Elva proudly reports she had her first job at age 10. She worked for a church member whom had a new born baby. She stayed at this home for 10days, 30miles from her home. This may have sealed her love for caring for others.

When Elva was 15 yrs old, her family began their move to Clovess, Ca. Her mother, younger sister, Lucille and Elva were the first to arrive. Later, after selling the farm, Father, Perry moved the cows to Clovess. In the fall, Elva entered the Fresno 7th grade. She noticed Don Forgey in her sophomore year. She explains, “Upon meeting Don, she started to like him right away.” Even though, he was dating another girl, she didn’t get discouraged. Soon that relationship ended and Don showed interest in Elva. They began dating. One of their favorite activities was playing horse shoes. Near the end of her senior year in 1949, she was in a car accident. Both Elva and Don believed God had spared their lives. That fall, she began college at La Sierra. She was still having symptoms from the car accident and quit at Christmas break.

At 21 years age, Don and Elva eloped to Carson City and were married there November 5, 1950. They resided in Livermore, CA. After Don served time in the army they began their move up North. They lived in Salem less than a year and decided that Yakima Valley held promise for them with the knowledge of fruit trees being grown there. They found a 40 acre farm in Mabton, with concord grapes they purchased. After their 4th child, Elva was caring for 500 chickens and selling eggs as well as caring for her family. When Linda was"5” years old and began kindergarten, Elva returned to college at the Yakima Nursing School. She was 41 years old when she completed her “2” RN year program and began working for Sunnyside Valley Memorial Hospital. It didn’t take the staff long to realize she knew her nursing well. She worked on the Medical Floor, but love working in the ER. She also covered the maturity floor as needed. She chose to work 3-11 shifts to provide the most coverage for her children. She continued working as a nurse till she was 70 years old. At this time, she found she needed to be home to care for her grandchild. She continued providing a home for her grandchild till the end of her life. Our heavenly Father, finding her faithful till the end, gently laid her to rest July 23.

Viewing and visitation was on held Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA. Funeral Services were Friday, August 4, 2017 at 10:00 am at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Sunnyside, WA with burial to follow at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside, WA. Those wishing to sign Elva’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home in care of arrangements. 

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