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Kill Devil Hills – Claudette Curtiss Forney, 84, went to be with her Lord the morning of February 2, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Roy and her parents, Claude and Janie Dykes. She is also predeceased by her sister, Margaret Swinehart.

Claudette leaves her daughter Kimberly Hopper (Patrick) of Lawton, Oklahoma; her son, Kenneth Forney of El Centro, California; her sister, Jannett Burket of Phoenix, Arizona; and her brother, Leslie “Butch” Dykes and his wife, Marilyn of Tallmadge, Ohio. She also so loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren; her dear friends – the Mark Pollard family and her Gee Gee Ma Kids. God sent Claudette her “adopted” family – Joyce and Wes Osborne of Kill Devil Hills, whom she loved and trusted with her care for seven years.

Claudette and Roy moved to the Kill Devil Hills, NC in 1983 from Canton, Ohio. Here, Roy established a successful siding and painting business, and Claudette started her own accounting business. Her many clients were lovingly served as friends. Claudette loved her church – Outer Banks Presbyterian where she served in any way she was needed. For years she directed the choir and her love of music stayed with her always. Besides her church and music, Claudette was active in the business of the Town of Kill Devil Hills where she sat on many committees and boards.

Claudette lovingly leaves all with the poem:

When I come to the end of the road,
And the sun has set for me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room
Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little – but not for long.
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that once we shared.
Miss me, but let me go.

For this is a journey we must all take,
And each must go alone.
It’s all part of the master plan,
A step on the road to home.

So when you are lonely and sick at heart,
Go to the ocean we know,
Bury your sorrow among the waves
Miss me, but let me go.

As she directed, no memorial services are planned so please – no flowers. Anyone wishing to donate in Claudette’s memory may do so at Outer Banks Presbyterian Church PO Box 2199, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948 or to any deserving charity of your choice. Expressions of sympathy and comfort may be shared with the family via the online register at gallopfuneralservices.com. Gallop Funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.

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