Forrest James Saffo was born February 15, 1930, to Ellow Benton Saffo and Lillie Mae Robinson Stodghill Saffo in Atlanta, Georgia, at Grady Hospital. Being born at the tail end of the Great Depression, he would soon learn a most valuable lesson as a young black boy in the South… "times are hard, and you have to get a job to survive." While attending E. P. Johnson Elementary school, at the tender age of 10, he would get a job working at the corner store to help support his mother and sister. He would continue his education and work odd jobs until he was 15 years old. Times became really difficult, and the demand for work and picking cotton in the field outgrew the need for completing his high school career; so, he dropped out of high school in the 10th grade to work full time and care for his mother and sister.

It wasn't long before he realized that his education was a vital aspect of his long-term survival, and he went to night school to complete his diploma and tested to receive his GED. He then went to trade school for several Professional Technical Certifications (HVAC, Electrical Wiring, Interior Design, and Drywall Installation & Finishing). All that he put his hands to do, he would do well. He would soon see that God had his hands on his life.

One evening at 16, while plowing in the field, his plow animal would not act right. The mule began to buck and kick and seemed afraid to go forward. He pulled the reins, yelled, and did all he could in "his power" to try and stop the mule from kicking and hawing and crushing valuable cotton seeds and plants in the process. His mind was not on what could be causing this ruckus, but in the fact that his father would be VERY UPSET that he destroyed valuable cotton plants and created a mess in the field… he was afraid of the earthly punishment. He got a moment of clarity when he heard a voice say, "You shall preach the gospel of Jesus Christ..." and the mule stopped the wild activity in an instant. After revisiting the event later in his head, he remembered his call into ministry and figured that the mule must have seen the Angel of the Lord and reacted, but he couldn't. The next day he began his plowing and expected to repair and reseed the obliterated area. However, there was no visible evidence of the mule's prior antics. When he got to the place of the upheaval, to his surprise, not a twig had been broken, nor had the ground been upturned. He stopped in disbelief and surveyed the area heavily. He knew then that he had encountered either an angel or had a divine personal visit from God.

At the age of 18, church was dear to him, and he knew he had to stay close to the Word. He did not have a car and found himself calling "shotgun" to ride in many of his friends and relatives' vehicles. On one of his outings with a friend, he visited a church in Jackson, GA. They went to see a young lady at Macedonia Baptist Church. While there, he was awe-struck by this very young, beautiful, and talkative teenage girl named Sallie. She had the attention of all the girls present, and now she had his attention too. He eventually asked her if he could visit her home to court her. She shyly responded yes. He arrived on the customary Sunday, and she was not there. He asked her mother if he could visit her for a while. Her mother inquired about his paternal background, and she realized that she was quite familiar with his parents. She then explained that Sallie was only 14, but she would give him and only him permission to date her. Sallie knew she had told an older man to come to her home, so she ran to her brother's house during the day not to get in trouble for inviting him over. Mrs. Marietta sent for her so that she could see Forrest, and they had their first date. He was 18, and she was 14. They sat on the porch and talked.

He was dedicated to making her his wife but soon he was drafted into the Army during the Korean War in 1950. He would enlist and quickly rise in rank to Corporal. He was in Korea but the call to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ was in him. He always stated how he knew he was divinely placed to be out of harm's way and how he always felt led and protected from so many catastrophes that should have happened to him, but didn't. He and Sallie faithfully wrote to each other for 2 years while he served in Korea. After 2 years, he's finally out of the war, he returns home to ask for her hand in marriage. She was only 16 and heavily desired to finish high school. He continued to ask for her hand, only to get a denial and a wait.

In 1954, his cousin invited him to go to California with him. Because he was tired of the segregation, unfair treatment and iron hand of the South against black people, he decided that if Sallie did not agree to say yes with this final proposal, he would go to California and never come back. She had graduated from High school and had no more excuses. To his surprise, she said yes and they were married December 5, 1954.

Pastor Saffo soon started the business of Saffo Services, a janitorial cleaning service after he was blessed with a business of cleaning supplies. While cleaning he made many acquaintances and business connections that led him to become a Building Superintendent for several large corporations. He has ALWAYS been a hard worker. He believed that “If a man doesn’t work, he shouldn’t eat” so he loved to eat so he worked hard to provide still for his mother and sister and now his new wife. During this season of working he Answered the call into the ministry and began to teach Sunday school at his home church in Jackson, GA. At Oak Grove Baptist Church. He would personally buy the Sunday school materials and teach the class on Sunday mornings. His new found love of the Word of God was insatiable. He would read the word for days on end just hungry to know more about this God that spoke to him years ago. He enrolled in Carver Bible College and gained full knowledge of the history of the Word of God and Seminary Training. He and Sallie were happily married 13 years before the Lord blessed them with a Man child, George Cornell Saffo and then a year later, James Benton Saffo and then 4 years later Stephanie Lynn (Saffo) Bronner.

While creating a family, Pastor Saffo began to preach at surrounding churches and was called to pastor several churches in his young years. Mount Pleasant Baptist church, St. James Baptist Church and New Mountain Top Baptist Church. During the early years of ministry, he was not a full time pastor. He held a steady job and allowed the move of God to happen in addition to his daily life. He was the pastor of these churches on select Sundays of the month. In 1963 His greatest accomplishment began when he became the Pastor of a wonderful flock of sheep in Winston, GA. Many of the NEW Members of this great body are unaware of his contribution to the building of this pillar of God’s Divine direction in the community. He was the catalyst for changing the past service schedule from once a month to every Sunday worship services.

Building a New church sanctuary and renovating the church 3 times- Once in 1971, again in 1983 and again in 1992 after the church burned.

Pastor Saffo became a spiritual leader to many and an icon in the small Winston community. He served as moderator of the Friendship Missionary Association for many years and forged relationships with other local churches, becoming a mentor and role model to many of the ministers who led various churches in the West Georgia area.

Pastor Saffo has led 1000’s of souls to Christ at New Mountain Top and in his annual Revival circuit that he undertook for years. He has counseled 1000’s of people and couples. Ordained 50+ ministers of the Gospel. He has officiated at 100’s of baptisms, marriages, and funerals and has been there to comfort his sheep during all of the tests and trials, tribulations, losses and Joys of his membership. He was even present at the hospital for tragedies before the families could even arrive. No matter what time of day or night, Pastor Saffo was aware and present in prayer for his sheep.

Even though his pastorship had ended when he retired in 2004, he was still a counselor and confidant to so many. He was affiliated with the National Baptist Association for years and assisted or moderated for many years even after his retirement. In his leisure time, he fished and loved to cut his grass and manicure his yard. He started writing his memoirs and traveled to so many distant places with the love of his life. He remained a Pastor to his flock that reached out to him. Even up to the day of his transition, he was still counseling and ministering to his flock. Marrying some at his home and counseling and going to visit in a range of situations. When Jesus said to Peter... "Feed my sheep", Pastor Saffo took it to heart and relentlessly tried to show Jesus that he loved him and cared for and prayed for his flock continually. He received the distinguished Award of Merit as being one of the longest living Ministers having been in service over 50 years as a Pastor0.

In his later years, after the passing of his beloved wife of 62 years, he became the Waffle House Preacher and a Regular patron at Trading Post Cafe in Villa Rica, GA. Everyone knew and loved him as Mr. Forrest. His jokes and cheeky humor became his claim to fame as he entered every establishment and charmed all the ladies and hassled all the men. He was so revered and loved. He even has a dish named in this honor at Trading Post. "The Mr. Forrest", Holly Fultz made it official for his 91st birthday. Please stop by and enjoy his favorite breakfast meal whenever you can. He loved their dinner and vegetables as well. He was a celebrity whenever he was there. I know they will miss this Amazing man. He leaves to cherish his memory a WONDERFUL family of employees at Waffle House and Trading Post.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ellow Benton Saffo and mother, Lillie Mae Robinson Saffo; His beloved wife of almost 62 years, Sallie Mae (Barlow) Saffo and his Sister Annie Mozell Snead. He leaves to cherish his memory and to procure his legacy his 3 children: George Saffo (Melody), James Saffo (Tammy), Stephanie Bronner (James); One sister-in-law, Maudine Taylor; 13 grandchildren: Matthew, Hannah, Caleb, Noah, Canaan, Seth, Jeoshua (Ashlyn), John, Joseph, Jamie, Jenesis, Jasmine and Jade; God Daughter, Elisabeth Zachery and a host of Nieces, adopted sons and daughters close sisters and brothers in Christ; One great-grandson, Cohen (son of Matthew and Karie Blackstock). The best neighbors in Brookside Way: The Crafts, Hales and Parkers; forever friends at Waffle House and Trading Post and friends of every age, race, and walk of life. He was an impactful man and he WILL BE MISSED!

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