Submitted by Jan J. Barnes
Nashville-Springfield, Tn.
Forest M. Durrett, age 90, died January 1, 2000. Visitation will be
at Bellevue Church of Christ on Monday, January 3, 2000 from 4-7 p. m. and
at Austin & Bell Funeral Home in Springfield on Tuesday, January 4, 2000
from 5-7 p. m. Masonic Service will begin at 7 p. m. Tuesday at the
funeral home. Funeral service will be Wednesday, January 5, 2000 at
11 a. m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery.
Mr. Durrett was born in White House, TN in 1909, the son of Maude Widick
and Robert (Bob) Durrett. He graduated from White House High School
and from Coyne Electrical School in Chicago. In 1938 he married Thelma
Stewart who died March 20, 1997. He is survived by a daughter, one
son, one sister, Kathleen Hale of White House, TN. He was devoted to
God and for many years worshipped at the Springfield Church of Christ and
in recent years at the Bellevue Church of Christ. Mr. Durrett owned
638 Tire Co. in 1934. A leader in the trucking industry, he owned two
truck lines for fifty years. He formed Durrett Transfer Inc. with one
truck in 1941 and sold it in 1966. He then formed Birmingham/Nashville
Express Inc. in 1967 and served as the Chairman of the Board at the time
of his death. He served three terms as President of Tennessee Motor
Transportation Association during which time he assisted in setting up the
first transportation scholarship at the University of Tennessee. Special
recognition was given to him by the Southern Motor Carriers Conference, Atlanta,
for his twelve years of service where he served as Board Member, Vice President,
and President. He also served as President of the Nashville Motor Carriers
Operations Association and because of his many contributions to the
transportation industry was honored in 1987 by being chosen Transportation
Man of the Year. Also, he was very active in the American Trucking
Association, Washington, and was Vice President of ATA for Tennessee. He
was active in civic and religious groups, served as President of the Springfield
Chamber of Commerce two terms, Board of Directors of two financial institutions,
a Member of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. Other civic organizational
work includes: Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Scottish Rite, Shrine,
and a Kiwanian for over fifty years.
Genealogist's Companion to Research in Sumner
County, Tennessee