Bernice Forrest Obituary

Forrest, PhD
Bernice Elizabeth LaCroix Forrest, PhD
September 12, 1950
July 10, 2024

Bernice Elizabeth LaCroix Forrest was born to Joseph Forrest and Nathalie Lockhart in Chicago, IL and was raised from age three in Los Angeles, CA. She received her BA in Afro-American History and Literature from Scripps College in 1972, her AM in American Civilization from Brown University in 1974, and her PhD in United States History from Tulane University in 1983.
A recognized scholar in the field of ethnography, Dr. Forrest 's research and publications centered on the social and cultural integration of Native and African American peoples. In 1991, she edited and published "The Collected Works of Olivia Ward Bush-Banks" as part of The Schomburg Library of Nineteenth-Century Black Women Writers. Bush-Banks, a contemporary of Paul Laurence Dunbar with whom she corresponded, was her great-grandmother. Dr. Forrest's research was a natural outgrowth of the tribal heritage that she shared with her great-grandmother as members of the Montaukett [Montauk] Indian Nation of Sag Harbor, NY. Dr. Forrest had a long and distinguished academic career teaching at Xavier University of Louisiana, Saint Louis University, Benedict College, and most recently University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She also lectured at Brown University, L'Association France-Etats Unis, Southern University in New Orleans, Tulane University, St. Mary's Dominican College, and Webster University. She retired in 2021 and moved to Las Vegas, NV to be close to family.
Bernice was a faithful and devout Catholic since converting in 1973. She loved reading about the Saints and enjoyed the study of scripture. Singing hymns and gospel music was a comfort to her throughout her life.
Bernice was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her sons, Alfred J. Guillaume III (Nashida) of Washington DC, and Paul J. Guillaume (Kathleen) of Las Vegas, Nevada; two granddaughters Michelle and Juliette Guillaume of Washington DC; and brother Sydney Lee Lockhart of Grover Beach, CA. They will remember her for her sharp wit and sense of humor. They are proud of her and the tremendous legacy she left through her scholarship.
The family wishes to express many thanks to all those who cared for Bernice these past three years, especially the staff at Heritage Springs Memory Care and providers from Nevada Home Hospice. A private interment mass and tribal ceremony will be held in Sag Harbor, NY. Memorial donations can be made to The National Museum of the American Indian and Lewy Body Dementia Association.