W. June Foster

Wilma June Foster of Chestertown, MD died peacefully on Tuesday June 3, 2008, just five days shy of her 87th birthday. She was born in Bulsar, India, on June 8, 1921, one of five children of Andrew and Bertha Butterbaugh who were Brethren missionaries. After her parents died when she was 12, she and another sister, Mary, were raised by Dr. and Mrs. Roy M. Hoover in Roanoke, Virginia. She attended and English boarding school in the Himalayan mountains of India. This and many other early childhood experiences greatly influenced her life. Back in the States, she attended Bridgewater College in Virginia, earning a Bachelor of Science in Music Education Degree. Bridgewater was also where she met her future husband, Ermon Foster. They were married on June 14, 1943, at Ferrum College in Virginia, where they were both teaching at the time. They then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, so Ermon could work on his Graduate Degrees at Vanderbuilt University-Peabody College. Both their children Andrew Ludwig and Bonnie Lynn were born during this time. Following a year of living in Athens, Georgia and a stint at Concord College in West Virginia, the Foster’s moved to Chestertown in 1949. June started teaching for the Kent County educational system in 1952 and taught for 25 years, primarily at Galen Elementary School. She loved teaching and giving herself to the hundreds of students she taught. She enjoyed creating artistic bulletin boards, and initiated the GVIG club, which promoted civic mindedness in her students. During these years she attended University of MD, the University of DE, and Washington College, pursuing a degree in art education. In 1965 she received a grant from Wye Foundation to travel to Latin America for the summer. She retired in 1978. June was an active member of the Christ Methodist Church. Her training and love of music was expresses through her involvement in the choir for over 50 years. During this time she also acted as choir director for several years and substitute organist. Her many talents were utilized through her church activities in other ways, too. She crocheted Crismons, which are symbols of the church; she initiated the “Cookie Walk”; and she designed dedication windows for her husband to create in stained glass. June was a talented pianist and enjoyed playing classical music. She also spent hours crafting pictures, some large tapestries with needle and thread. These works of art, labors of love were gifted to her children and grandchildren. She also found time to write her memoirs, an amazing chronicle of beautiful life well lived. She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ermon Nelson Foster; two children, Andrew Foster and his wife Shirley of Chestertown, MD and Bonnie Foster Howell and her husband Jed Howell of Sudlersville, MD; five grandchildren, Dax Foster of Charlottes, VA. Tonya Howell of Warren, VT, Torr Howell and his wife Erina of Chestertown, MD, Jennine Foster of Pittsburg, PA, and Scott Foster of Worton, MD; a brother Andrew Gladen Mathis of Tampa, FL; a sister Vila Barnhart of Lavern, CA. Also surviving are five great grandchildren. A visitation will be held at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Rd. Chestertown, MD on Saturday June 7, 2008 from 6-8 PM. Services will be held at Christ United Methodist Church on Sunday June 8, 2008 at 3PM. Interment will be held privately at St. Paul’s Cemetery. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, PO Box 262, Chestertown, MD 21620. Arrangements by Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.fhnfuneralhome.com

W. June Foster

June 8, 1921 - June 3, 2008