Our Staff

H.M. “Hank” Forbes Jr.

Funeral Director In Charge

Hawke M.T. Forbes

Owner

Hawke manages everyday operations at the funeral home. He has grown up around the funeral business his entire life and finds serving others in their time of loss to be his calling.

He is a 2014 graduate of Baker County High School and a 2018 graduate of Florida State College of Jacksonville, with an associates degree in Funeral Service.

He is a Florida notary public and serves on the Baker County Recreation Advisory Board.

He enjoys spending time with family, friends and his girlfriend, Kelsey.

As of February 26, 2021, Hawke assumed ownership of the business and is proud to be the only local funeral home with staff dedicated to one location and community.

Serving with the funeral home since 2010.

Vanessa Johnson

Office Manager

Serving with the funeral home since 2021.

Wes Taylor

Family Service Associate

Wes is a native Floridian born and raised in Duval County. He has over 50 years in the funeral service, as well as cemetery management. He is a proud husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He is looking forward to serving families in our area and being apart of the Forbes family. 

Serving with the funeral home since 2020.

Tom Sonke

Family Service Associate

Tom has been a resident of Clay county for over 30 years. He worked in the property and casualty insurance industry for over 30 years. He served First Coast families for over 10 years with funeral homes in Jacksonville. Tom is excited to serve families here in Baker county!

Serving with the funeral home since 2020.

David Lauramore

Family Service Associate

David is a lifelong resident of Baker County and a graduate of Baker County High School. He worked for many years for the Department of Corrections and later for Baker County Sheriff's Office. He has recently retired and is excited to join us here at the funeral home.

In his spare time, David is an avid outdoorsman. He enjoys hunting with family and friends in Georgia and spending time with his wife, Sheila, and his children and grandchildren. 

Serving with the funeral home since 2021.

Billy Rhoden

Family Service Associate

Billy is a Baker County Native and a graduate of Baker County High School. He is currently working for the Baker County Sheriff's Office and formerly worked for the Department of Corrections. Billy is also a proud veteran of the United States Marine Corp. 

Billy enjoys spending time with his wife, Cindy, children, and grandchildren in his free time. 

Serving with the funeral home since 2021.

Kelsey Strickland

Family Service Associate

Kelsey is a lifelong resident of Baker County and is the daughter of Riley and Delicia Strickland. She is a 2017 graduate of Baker County High School and a 2020 graduate of Florida Gateway College. She has recently passed her NCLEX exam and looks forward to working as a registered nurse.

Kelsey loves attending concerts and following college softball. She has a boyfriend, Hawke, as well as two cats, all whom she loves dearly.

Serving with the funeral home since 2018.

Evan M. Barrett

Family Service Associate

Evan Barrett is a lifelong resident of Baker County. A 2014 graduate of Baker County High School, Evan recently graduated from the law enforcement academy in Lake City. He is one of four brothers. In his spare time, Evan enjoys being active, Georgia Bulldog football and visiting family in Berrien County, GA. He is currently employed as a deputy with Baker County Sheriff's Office.

Serving with the funeral home since 2014.

Debbie Groves

Family Service Associate

Debbie has been a Baker County resident since 2000 and was born in Jacksonville. She has been married for 18 years to Mr. Troy Groves and together they own Troy & Co Salon and Spa in Macclenny. 

She is the proud mother of one son, grandmother to one grandson, and she is a new great-grandmother.

Serving with the funeral home since 2019.

Toree Jones Lee

Family Service Associate / Receptionist

Toree Jones Lee is a Jacksonville native, but has been a resident of Macclenny since 2008. She is a dog mother of 3 sweet pups and recently got married to her high school sweetheart, Colton Lee. She is a 2015 graduate of Baker County High School and has her Bachelor's of Science degree from Florida State College of Jacksonville in Business Administration. She loves spending time with her family and pups. She has lived in Florida her whole life so you can often catch her at the beach or supporting the Florida Gators on Saturdays and Jacksonville Jaguars on Sundays!

Outside of the funeral home, Toree is a licensed real estate agent in the state of Florida.

She is passionate about learning new things and meeting and helping people.

Toree has deep roots in the funeral business. Her great grandfather was T.J. Giddens of the original Giddens family (Giddens Funeral Home/ Giddens-Griffith/ Hardage-Giddens).

Toree enjoys working hand in hand with bereaved families.

Serving with the funeral home since 2018.