Joe Wayne Forlines, 83, of McConnells, SC, passed away at his home supported by his wife of 40 years Cheryl Forlines, his daughter Lauren, and his boxer dog Maddie on the evening of Thursday, December 18th, 2025
Joe was born in Steele, Missouri to Margie and Andrew Forlines. While he was born in Missouri, Joe lived in many places all over the USA. Depending on the conversation, he might tell you he was from California or he might tell you he was from Georgia, but he called York County his home for the last 50+ years. A jack of all trades, from being a plumber with his father to working in the oil and gas fields to supervising at Springs Mills to owning and operating bars and The Coal Yard Restaurant, Joe prided himself on being a hard worker. While he worked like a mule at any job he held, Joe’s vocation, his calling, was that of husband and dad, lovingly called “Daddy Joe” by his kids and many others who knew him. Though he fathered no children of his own, Joe helped raise a number of them, and he prided himself on being a good dad, emphasizing that anyone can be a father but being a dad required another level of love and care which he regularly exceeded. Part of his child rearing included imparting his strong work ethic, making sure his kids knew that Elvis Presley was the greatest entertainer to ever live, and instilling an appreciation for joyriding on backroads in a nice car. He was a dog lover, especially loving the Georgia Bulldogs—a fanatic, one might say.
He was an artist, and while he may not have thought of himself as such, he was always doing something creative, leaving behind a shop full of his creations. His litmus test for a good bar was dependent on how cold their beer was, and when road tripping, he’d make a gaggle of friends in a new town by buying the bar a round. His gruff and stubborn demeanor masked a sweet and sentimental soul. Surely, he is in Heaven complaining at this very moment about how the beer isn’t cold enough.
Joe is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill, sister Jane, and stepdaughter Tracy. Joe is survived by his wife, Cheryl, stepchildren, Jesse-Lee Dunlap and Lauren Dunlap, sisters Debbie Biggerstaff and Connie Latham, and a host of nieces and nephews.
A gathering to celebrate Joe’s life will be at the former Coal Yard, now Town Tavern on January 10, 2026, 2-4pm. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Community Care, PO Box 993, Rock Hill, SC 29731.