Gone too soon: Forney's mother said he had big plans for the future
MILL SPRING - Polk County mother Sandra Forney has now suffered through the nightmare of seeing a son die ... twice.
According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Forney's oldest son, Robert "Bobo" Kontar Forney, 45, was allegedly shot and killed on July 17 by his son, Qualon Sutton, 21. Sutton was taken into custody by deputies later that night and charged with first-degree murder.
Sutton made his first court appearance on July 18 in Columbus District Court, and the judge gave him no bond. His next court appearance was July 26, the day before his father's funeral, which will be at 3 p.m. July 27 at Contemporary Baptist Church at 429 Harris Street in Hendersonville.
Sandra Forney told the Times-News on July 25 that Robert Forney was the oldest of five children and that his death comes seven years after her other son's death.
"His brother, Charles, was the second oldest. Charles died in November 2016, just three days before his birthday, of a heart attack. Charles' death was never easy for Robert. He never got over it," she said.
Robert Forney lived in Henderson, Spartanburg and Polk counties and played high school sports, including wrestling, basketball and football.
"He was a star athlete at Dorman High School (in Spartanburg, South Carolina) on the football field and supported his brothers and his son when they played," Sandra Forney said.
More: 21-year-old charged with killing his father taken into custody in Polk County
She said after high school, Robert Forney lost his way to the streets but did a complete turnaround once he became a father.
"He changed his life around for his children. Robert decided that the streets had nothing to offer but trouble," she said. "He got a job and moved into a mobile home where he lived with his son until his untimely death."
She said Robert Forney and his son were both employed at Wilsonart in Fletcher.
"He was a kind soul and a caretaker ... cooking for his uncle who had medical issues, taking care of his children and loved ones. He always took care of his mother and brother. He made time for those he loved. If you ever met him, you would call him friend," Sandra Forney said.
She said her son had made big plans for his future and was talking about getting married.
"He wanted to be a businessman, to get his CDL License and start his own company and make it a family business. He wanted to build a home and own properties for renting. He had big dreams, just like he had a big heart for those he loved and cared about," she said.
A GoFundMe Page has been set up to help the family at https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-forney-family.
Dean Hensley is the news editor for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him with tips, questions and comments at DHensley@gannett.com. Please help support this kind of local journalism with a subscription to the Hendersonville Times-News.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Polk County mom says Robert Forney was 'a kind soul and a caretaker'
