Obituary

Obituary for Alma Graybill Foster, Thomas, Oklahoma 1923-2016

Alma Ruth Graybill Foster, age 92, died Monday morning, July 11, 2016 at the Corn Heritage Village in Weatherford, Oklahoma.

She was born near Rhea, Oklahoma, to Joe and Cora (Ireton) Graybill November 6, 1923.

She attended school at Rhea, at Leedey, Oklahoma, and later at what is now Southwestern Oklahoma State University at Weatherford, Oklahoma.

She was married to John D. Foster on November 17, 1943, just before his departure for the European theatre of World War II as a member of the Eighth Air Force of the US Army/Air Corps and was married to him for seventy-two years.

Alma suspended her education at SWOSU to begin teaching school at Putnam, Oklahoma during the remainder of the war years, and later dedicated herself to rearing her family and assisting her husband in his work activities. She returned to SWOSU in 1963 completing both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and taught in the Hennessey, Oklahoma public schools until her retirement in 1988. During her years at SWOSU, she was listed on both the Dean’s and President’s Honor Rolls, and earned numerous other awards during her years as an educator.

In the years following her retirement, she enjoyed gardening and growing ornamental plants and flowers, quilting with her friends at the Thomas United Methodist Church, and preparing delicious meals that she shared with family and friends who came to visit. In her later years, she devoted herself to caring for her husband during many health problems that he experienced prior to his passing in 2015.

Alma was preceded in death by her husband, John D. Foster, her parents, and siblings Roy Graybill, Clarence Graybill, Dan Graybill, Frank Graybill, and Elma (Graybill) Watson. She was baptized at an early age and will be remembered as a faithful member of the Thomas United Methodist Church, a loving and supportive mother and grandmother, a dedicated educator, and a person who genuinely loved and cared for all persons who were fortunate to be a part of her life.

She is survived by her daughter Bonnie Garner Vanderwork and her husband Mickey Vanderwork of Weatherford, Oklahoma, and by her son Cary Foster of Atlanta, Georgia. She is also survived by her younger brother Albert Graybill of Blountville, Tennessee, her grandson David Garner and his wife Michelle (Haggard) Garner, and son Warren of Anchorage, Alaska, as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and other family members.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at 10 a.m. at the Thomas United Methodist Church, with Reverend Larry Harlan and Reverend Kip Heatley officiating. Burial will follow at Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Thomas United Methodist Church, 216 East Kansas Street, Thomas, Oklahoma 73669 or to a charity of choice.