Elsie Foster

Elsie L. Foster lived a life that saw many changes, but through them all she remained a woman with a strong sense of family, a love for her church and a deep faith in God. She devoted her life to passing these values along to her family.

Life in the 1920s was a time of transition. Many people were leaving the farms to get jobs in the factories and abandoning the way of life that had been passed down through generations. Those who stayed on the farm to make their living worked long hours for a small reward and with few of the conveniences that those living in the cities and towns enjoyed. The land was cultivated with hard work, a team of horses and the sweat of one’s brow. In the community of Rose Hill, Mississippi, life for Henry and Lillie (Reed) Ford was also in transition. On June 24, 1926, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Elsie.

Elsie spent her growing up years in the small town of Rose Hill where her parents raised crops on the family farm. There were always chores to do and Elsie often recalled as a child how they would meet other families and friends at the creek to do the weekly washing. When Elsie was young, her parents separated and her mother eventually met and married a man named Jessie Spells. Jessie became a tremendous inspiration in Elsie’s life which aspired in her the wholesome values and firm foundation that she relied on throughout her life. Lillie and Jessie had four children and as the “big sister”, Elsie helped care for her younger siblings. It became clear with these added responsibilities that the family needed her help at home and she left after the 6th grade to support her family. Elsie often reminisced about her childhood in Mississippi and how she and her friends walked many miles to and from school. The economic conditions of the time didn’t allow the luxury of a car and so walking was your only mode of transportation to get where you needed to be. Life was not always easy and the Depression Era family often found themselves in the wake of hardships. It was during these times that Elsie learned the value of hard work in order to help support her family.

As a young woman, Elsie left the farm to live with some relatives in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was here that Elsie’s life took a new direction. The Cooley family lived next door to her relatives and they had a handsome young son, William Clifton Cooley, who caught Elsie’s eye. They fell in love and were married. Their union was blessed with a son, Quintan. Sadly, their marriage ended and Elsie along with her son moved to Indiana to live with her father. Supporting a young family proved to be too much of a hardship on her father and so plans were made for Elsie and Quintan to go to Muskegon, Michigan to an aunt who operated a restaurant. Elsie proved to be great help in the restaurant and, as fate would have it, she met Jimmie Foster who recently moved north after the war in search of work. A beautiful romance ensued and in time they were married. Jimmie and Elsie were blessed with two daughters, Bettie and Sharon, and along with Quintan, they brought great joy and happiness to the Foster household. Jimmie and Elsie faithfully loved, honored and cherished each other for 55 wonderful years.

There were some hard times in the beginning for the young Foster family. They settled in Twin Lake, Michigan where Quintan and Bettie recall the house they lived in, the snakes in the yard which their father would shoot and the outhouse. Though these were rough times, the Foster family remained close and held fast to the things money couldn’t buy. Jimmie worked hard to support his family at the foundry while Elsie worked at the telephone company in the custodial department. Jimmie later moved his family to Muskegon where Elsie became employed at S.D. Warren Paper Company which is now SAPPI Paper Company. She worked her way from the custodial department to being a machine operator. This particular job required a high school diploma and this motivated Elsie to get her GED, which she proudly received. Because of this great accomplishment, Elsie made it a point of impressing upon her children and even grandchildren the importance and value of a good education. Elsie thoroughly enjoyed her job at the paper company. Unfortunately, due to her deteriorating health, Elsie was placed in retirement.

As a mother Elsie was a very stern disciplinarian, yet instilled many good values in her children. She made sure the children had the help and support they needed, always encouraging them in their schoolwork. Her children remember “report card” days and how they so wanted to make their mother proud. Ultimately, they knew if the grades were bad there would be no television for 2 weeks and perhaps other disciplinary measures. Although she was very particular about the way things were done, she was also very thorough in every undertaking. This was especially true of her meticulous housekeeping. She believed there was no excuse for a dirty house or body. Her motto was “soap and water are free, so use them.” Of all the wonderful things in Elsie’s life, time spent with her immediate family as well as her extended family towered above the rest. She never missed family events like graduations and weddings. She deemed it important to show her support to each and every circumstance her family experienced. Practical jokes were also a trademark of Elsie’s; she loved to make people laugh. These memorable times together are carefully etched on the hearts of those that love and knew her.

The one thing that upheld Elsie throughout her life was her faith in God. She was a member of the Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ. Before her health deteriorated, she was very active in the church and its activities. Her children knew that if something was going on at the church that they would be there. She gathered strength each day by praying and worked hard to instill her Christian values upon her children so that they too would be spiritually strong and active. Her passionate faith was her life’s Mecca.

If you were to ask Elsie what her most cherished possession was, she would quickly tell you it was her home. After her family moved to Muskegon, they lived in a neighborhood that Elsie wanted to get out of. Calling upon her faith, she fasted and prayed that the Lord would lead her family to a new home. Miraculously, the way was provided and they found a new home on Baker Street and Elsie always felt that this house was her “God given cherished possession.” She was so very thankful for this home and spent countless hours in the kitchen cooking for her family and watching television.

For the last ten years, her devoted husband, Jimmie, tenderly cared for his beloved Elsie as her health weakened and vigilantly stayed by her side providing her with the best possible care until her passing.

Elsie L. Foster passed away on Thursday, February 19, 2004. Her parents, Henry and Lillie Ford, and her brothers, Handy Spells and Jessie Spells Jr, preceded her in death. Surviving is her devoted husband of 55 years, Jimmie Foster; her children: Quintan (Debra) Cooley, Bettie Foster-Hawkins, and Sharon (Samuel) Foster-Terfa; 4 grandchildren: Hillari Hawkins, Clifford Hawkins Jr., Simone Terfa, and Rashad Terfa; 4 step grandchildren: Mark Morgan, Kimberly McLaurin, Jacquelyn Thomas, and Semaj Morgan; 2 great grandchildren; her sisters and brothers: Lurilla Turnley, Lois Mahone Lester Spells, and LeRoy Spells; her close cousin, Ray Dyess, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 24, at 1:00 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Church of God in Christ, 2140 Valley Street, with Rev. Nathaniel Wells III officiating. Interment will be in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association would be appreciated. Mrs. Foster reposes at the Achterhoff Life Story Funeral Home where relatives and friends may meet her family on Monday, February 23, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. You may read Elsie’s life story, leave a memory or sign the online register book at www.lifestorynet.com.

The family would like to thank Gentiva Health Services and especially Sandy and Bonnie for their loving care.

Although Elsie will be deeply missed, memories of your times together become treasures of the heart.