James Forest Eley

April 28, 1936 - November 19, 2020

Myrtle Beach……….. James Forest Eley, 84, of Myrtle Beach, husband of 64 years to Kate Moore Eley, passed away on Thursday, November 19th, 2020. Forest, son of the late Woodrow Wilson and Emma Eley, was born in Petersburg, Virginia on April 28th 1936. Forest was a graduate of Fork Union Military Academy, attended the Citadel, and graduated from the Virginia Bankers School of Bank Management. In 1976, Forest and family moved to Walterboro, South Carolina, where he served as City Executive for First National Bank of Orangeburg/South State Bank until his retirement in 1998. In addition to his banking career, he was long time member of the South Carolina Bankers Association and also a member of the Rotary Club in Walterboro. Through his son's time in high school, he devoted numerous hours serving on the Board of Directors for John C. Calhoun Academy/Colleton Prep. During his retirement, Forest enjoyed countless rounds of golf on the coast of S.C., however, he harbored a love from his years of organizing The Grand Lizard Golf Tournament held annually at the Smokey Mountain Country Club in the mountains of North Carolina. Beyond his love of golf was more importantly the love for his family. In addition to the love of his life, Kay, he is also survived by his two sons, Greg Eley (Linda) of Myrtle Beach, Mark Eley (Jennifer) of Greenville, S.C.; four grandchildren, Jamie Eley (Stephanie), Christopher Eley (Elenia), Jonathan Eley, and Carrington Eley. He is also survived by four great grandchildren, Elijah, Christian, Luke, and Kasen. He was a long time member of First Baptist Church of Walterboro where he served as a deacon and until his passing, he was a member of Socastee Methodist Church in Myrtle Beach. In light of covid and out of respect for all of Forest's loved ones, only the immediate family will attend the graveside service at Hillcrest Cemetery on Wednesday November 25th. A celebration of Forest's life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, any donations or contributions in honor of Forest may be made to Fork Union Military Academy Scholarship Fund Class of 1954 4744 James Madison Highway, Fork Union, Virginia 23055 at www.forkunion.com (make a gift) or Socastee United Methodist Church 5575 Dick Pond Rd. Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29588, www.socasteeumc.org .