Emerson Colyer Foster was born in Toledo, Ohio on November 16, 1954, to Elizabeth (Libbie) and Norman Foster. He departed this life on May 25, 2021, at The James Cancer Hospital - Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio.
Emerson was the consummate gentleman with a polite, dignified demeanor. He loved music, especially jazz. His interest in music began at an early age and continued throughout his life.
He attended St. John's Jesuit High School where he was a member of the drum line in the marching band. After graduating in 1972, Emerson attended the University of Toledo for a short time but then decided he wanted to take a different path. He worked for several companies including, Libbey Owens Ford, Chrysler Jeep, and the City of Toledo.
In 1981, Emerson moved to California. Living in Englewood, he found a fulfilling career working in sales for the MCI Telephone company. While working for MCI, he transferred to the company's Detroit area office in 1983. Unfortunately, Emerson found his career at MCI was limited without a degree, so he went back to college.
He graduated from the Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1990 and went on to obtain a Master's in Education from the University of Toledo in 1991. Emerson soon became a substitute teacher for the Toledo Public Schools and also worked for the former Private Industry Collaborative (PIC).
A few years later he met the love of his life, Anita Scott. Emerson and Anita met at a family wedding and had an immediate connection. Anita was smitten with his "gorgeous teeth and pretty smile" and they began dating. He proposed six months later with what Anita called the perfect ring.
Emerson didn't tell Anita that he was going to ask for her father's blessing before proposing, but "that's exactly what I would have wanted," Anita said. They married in Toledo on March 11, 2000, and moved to Columbus where Anita was already living and working. Their union was blessed with their son, Devin, in 2003.
After moving to Columbus, Emerson worked as a financial aid counselor for the Columbus City School District for the past 19 years.
Very intelligent, Emerson also had an amazing memory and loved listening to his favorite jazz artists, John Scofield and Pat Metheny. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth; Uncles, Leon, Carl and William Foster; Aunts, Bettye Mayo, Bernice Syph and Rose Walters.
He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife Anita; Father, Norman; Sister Norma Jean Moore of Chicago; Son, Devin; Uncles, James and Robert Church of Toledo, and George (Ruth) Church of Florida: Aunts, Mary Taylor of Toledo and Eva Jones of Fort Wayne, Indiana; Sister-in-law Kristine Scott; Best friend, Darrell (Marlene)Taylor, and many other relatives and friends.