james Howard Foster, BHS Class '41

BLUEFIELD - James Howard Foster, 80, of Route 5 Box 431 (Bluewell), Bluefield, died on Monday, Jan. 5, 2004 at Bluefield Regional Medical Center following a short illness.
Born on March 8, 1923, in Chatteroy, he was a son of the late Charles E. and Fanny Jane Reed Foster.
He was a graduate of Bramwell High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an activation technician. His tours of duty included the Philippines, Midway Islands, and Honolulu, Hawaii. He was retired from the coal industry. He was also a 50-year member of the Bramwell Masonic Lodge No. 45. He was a faithful member of the Bluewell United Methodist Church, where he was active in the United Methodist Men and past secretary of the Gleaners Bible Class. He had varied interests including camping, travel, sports, and reading. He loved his children, family, friends and neighbors.
In addition to his parents, his grandson, Bradley Wayne Jackson; and brothers, Charles Foster Jr., Samuel E. Foster, and Jack W. Foster preceded him in death.
Survivors include: Cherished wife of 57 years: Nancy Lee Blevins Foster of the home; two daughters: Deborah Sue (Susie) Foster Cooper and husband Stephen N. of Warrenton, Va., Mary Jane Foster Jackson and husband Jerry W. of Bluefield, Va.; one son: Charles J. (Jack) Foster and special friend Daniel Smoake of Knoxville, Tenn.; grandson: Michael Scott Cooper of Frisco, Colo.; granddaughter: Leanne Jackson Link and husband Bryan of Winston-Salem, N.C.; great-granddaughter: Emma Link; great-grandson: Jackson Link; one sister: Mae F. Biggs of Bluefield; three brothers: William H. Foster and wife Juanita of Bramwell, David P. Foster and wife Betty of Bluewell, Richard R. Foster and wife Doris of Gaston, S.C.; several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Bluewell United Methodist Church in Bluewell with the Rev. Samuel O. Cale III and Dr. Bill Wilson officiating. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where Jeff and Timmy Blevins, Bill Dyson, Jeff Foster, Terry Keller, and Bryan Link will serve as pallbearers. Members of the Bluewell United Methodist Men's and the Gleaners Bible Class, and grandson, Michael Scott Cooper will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Friends may call today from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home and on Wednesday morning one hour prior to services at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bluewell United Methodist Church, Route 4 Box 541, Bluefield, WV 24701; or the Bradley W. Jackson Foundation, 207 Windwood Drive, Bluefield, VA 24605. Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell is serving the Foster family.

"They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the yrs condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.”

- Laurence Binyon