Catherine

Foster

Catherine (Moore) Foster was born March 5, 1930 in Crossett, Arkansas and had just celebrated her 96th

birthday! She was born to the union of Joseph and Alcena Moore. She grew up with her siblings: Jewell,

Rachel, Joseph, Gladys, and Andrew. As a child, she enjoyed dancing, being outside playing softball,

and talking and listening to the older women. At a young age, Catherine made two important decisions.

The first was to be a sanctified woman when she grew up, and the other was to marry Johnnie Foster -

and she did both!

Early in the 1950's, after marriage, Catherine and Johnnie became a part of the Great Migration of African Americans that left southern states and moved north for better economic opportunities. They moved to Toledo, Ohio. Shortly thereafter, Catherine dedicated her life to Christ under leadership of Elder William Morgan James and joined the St. James Holiness Church of God in Christ. For fifty plus years, she worked in various ministries such as singing in the choir and serving on the Usher Board. After becoming a missionary, she continued her education in Theological Studies under the tutelage of Elder Chester Trail. She was appointed the president of the Home and Foreign Missions Department and served on a mission trip to Haiti. Sis. Foster was a member of the Junior Mothers' Board. Later, she became Mother Foster - a title bestowed upon women in the church who are saved, live a sanctified life, and faithfully serve the church and the community. Mother Foster served as the president of the Senior Mothers' Board.

Mother Foster continued her membership at St. James Holiness COGIC after the transition of Bishop

William Morgan James. His son, Dr. William James now leads the ministry as the Win the World

Ministries.

With all of her titles, there is another title that Mother Foster held dear to her heart. That was the title of

"Mother Dear". This title was not only used by her children, grandchildren, and other family members, it

was also the name used by those who loved her and whom she loved.

Mother Dear and her husband of 55+ years were the parents of nine daughters and one son. She birthed

Eunice, Betty, Shirley, Johnnie Ray, Barbara, Linda, Elaine, Jacqueline, Kathy, and Sheronda into this world.

Mother Dear loved her grandchildren, and her family dearly.

She helped raise and care for her grandchildren and great grandchildren well into her 80s. Mother Dear

loved all of her grandchildren and would check on them to make sure that they were okay. She prayed

and shared the love of the Lord with them. She raised Monta, Jacqueline II, and Ajana in her home.

Despite many challenges, Mother Dear never stopped loving the Lord Jesus. She persevered through

hard times, disappointments, and life altering consequences. The Lord saw her through them all. He

blessed her abundantly. She'd often recited Psalm 103: 1-2 "Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is

within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:"

Mother Dear was preceded in death by her parents: Joseph and Alcena Moore; husband: Elder Johnnie

Foster; children: Shirley, Johnnie Ray Jr., Elaine, and Jacqueline, and grandchildren: Kevin Bailey, Regina

Kynard, Chanta Foster, and Jacqueline Tindall II.

Mother Dear leaves to cherish her memories: daughters: Barbara, Linda, Kathy, Sheronda, Eunice, and

Betty; grandchildren, a host of other great-grandchildren, her great-great grandchildren, and other dear

relatives. Mother Dear will also be missed by church friends and spiritual daughters: Roberta Whitaker

and Toni Tindall whom she loved very much and who were very dear to her heart.