Arlethia Pack Foster

Published 2:48 pm Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Arlethia Pack Foster was born June 19, 1928, to the union of Jacob Pack and Queen Victoria Sheridan Pack in Amory, Miss. She passed away on July 24, 2014, at her home in Varnado.

Arlethia came to Varnado at the age of 8 after the death of her parents. She attended school in Varnado and accepted Christ at an early age, beginning a life-long commitment to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Arlethia was united in holy matrimony to Willie D. Foster on Oct. 12, 1946, and to this union they added five children. Willie and Arlethia moved to Los Angeles in 1950 and later to Compton, Calif., where they resided until returning to Varnado in 1990. During this time, Arlethia joined Citizens of Zion M.B. Church where she was a beloved member, working faithfully in various capacities, primarily with youth programs, over a span of 40 years. After returning to Varnado, Arlethia became an active member of New Zion Baptist Church, teaching Sunday School, presiding as president of the Women’s Missionary Society and representing the church in the state association and countless other activities under the leadership of the Rev. Linza R. Cotton.

Although she worked for brief intervals outside of the home, she spent most of her life as a devoted mother and homemaker, making life for her husband and children one of love and security. Her legacy of faith and love remains with all she encountered throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: Winston, Queen Victoria II, Ivazean, Verlean, Irene, Lee, Phillip and Joseph Pack, and her aunt and uncle who raised her after her parents’ death, Casenda Sheridan Robinson and March Robinson.

She leaves to cherish her memory her husband of nearly 68 years, Willie D. Foster; their five children, Carolyn Boyer (Marcus) of Fontana, Calif., Willie Jean Young (Amos) of Bogalusa, Daniel Foster (Marie) of Menifee, Calif., Douglas Foster and Reginald Foster, of Long Beach, Calif.; a special niece, Mae Joyce Slay of Carson, Calif.; nine grandchildren, Johance Young (Deanna) of Lakewood, Calif.; Kelly Bresso (Matthew) of Oakland, Calif., Zoni Boyer of Rialto, Calif., Marcus Boyer II of Fontana, Calif., Reuben English III of Compton, Calif., Charlita Meadows (Duane) of Cerritos, Calif., Terry Dillard (David) of Compton, Calif., Reginald Foster II and Deandre Foster of Long Beach, Calif.; April Hunter, Vaniethia Hubbard (Michael) and Michael Jr., to whom she was affectionately known as Grandma Foster; 13 great-grandchildren, Arabian, Sharae, Courtney, Ray, Michaela, Demitrius, Ashley, Damonique, Elijah, Anaya, Jeremiah, Saraiya and Kaleb; a brother-in-law and three sisters-in-law, Vernon Foster (Shirley), Lillian Roberts and Caldonia Pack of Varnado; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.