Josie Forrester Gorzula

Affectionately known as "Josie," Laura Josephine Forrester Gorzula, 70, of Newbern, Tennessee, died on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at her residence in Newbern, Tennessee.

Born Sunday, December 26, 1954, in Union City, Tennessee, she was the daughter of the late Albert Don Forrester and the late Jean Grills Forrester.

Josie dedicated her life to education, working for many years with the Dyer County School System. Throughout her career, she taught at several schools in the area and retired from Northview Middle School. Her love for teaching extended far beyond the local classroom—she also taught abroad, including time spent educating students in Venezuela. Her impact on the lives of her students was profound, both at home and internationally. She was known for her kindness and compassion

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in the Chapel of Johnson-Williams Funeral Home. Officiating this service will be Mr. Patrick Williams.

She is survived by one son, Michael James Gorzula of Newbern, Tennessee; two special friends Burton Wells and Jere Pierce and a host of extended family members and friends that she loved dearly.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Josef Burton Gorzula and her sister, Meredith Forrester Wells.

Online condolences may be made to the family at johnson-williamsfuneralhome.com. Johnson-Williams Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Josie Forrester Gorzula.

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