In Loving Memory
The Matriach: Siah Dekpah Forleh
The Patriach: Kettor Fayah Kongor Forleh
THE FORLEH FAMILY originally came from a little village in Foya District, Lofa County, Liberia, West Africa. Kolojoe, the village, is about 15 miles from the Guinean border, and 20 miles from the Sierra Leonean border. The family is a member of the Kissi, one of several African ethnic groups found in Liberia.
The family comprises largely of farmers who produce mainly rice and cassava. Over the years, owing to the Liberian civil war, many in the family traveled to the United States of America; some of them became American citizens.
The patriarch of the family was Oldman Kettor Fayiah Kongor Forleh, reportedly killed by rebel forces because of one crime—he was the tribal chief at the time.
The Matriach, Siah Dekpah Forleh, was rescued by Saah Forleh, one of her many grandchildren. This was a daring feat because young Saah made the rescue during the heat of the war, traveling all the way to Kolojoe for the old lady. Later, in 2000, Ma Siah was able to join the rest of the family in the United States of America. Six years later, in 2006, she took sick and returned to Liberia where she died in February of 2012.
Of all the kids in America, there is Anthony T. Forleh, Sr., known by many as Tony. He’s blessed with 5 boys and 3 girls of which three were adopted. Tony lives in the State of Maryland. Having made a name in a small family business and interacted with many people, Tony himself has grown a very large family.
There is also Robert S. Forleh, Tony’s brother, who lives in the State of Georgia. He is blessed with one son. Back home in Liberia, the oldest living brother, Saah Fungor Forleh, also has a large family.
In short, the Kettor Fayiah Kongor Forleh family is a very, very large family, living both in America and in Liberia. The family also includes many boys and girls, young men and women, older men and women, all of whom have become an important part of the Forlehs.