Mae James Foster

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Mrs. Mae James Foster, 99, died Monday, February 13, 2023, at her home in Oxford, MS. The funeral will be Friday, February 17, 2023, at 11:00 A.M. in the chapel of Waller Funeral Home with Dr. Chuck Fowler, Rev. Hilton Lane, and Rev. Mike Wolfe officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:00 A.M. Burial will follow in Tula Cemetery.

Mrs. Foster was born on April 24, 1923, in Delay, MS to the late Macus Henry and Alice Cordellia James. She was a seamstress at Big Yank in Water Valley and a homemaker, lovingly caring for her husband and children. In 1943, Mrs. Foster made the most important decision of her life by accepting the Lord as her Savior at New Prospect Baptist Church. She then became a member of Tula Baptist Church in 1950, becoming an integral part of the church. As a member of the choir, she used her voice to worship and minister to others, singing many solos through the years. During revivals, Mrs. Foster would graciously open her home to host the visiting pastors and prepare meals for them. She had a great passion for bringing up the next generation of the church, devoting many hours to teaching Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and leading the Women’s Missionary Union. Mrs. Foster was a member of the Tula Senior Citizens Group, which brought her many cherished friendships. She was not only a seamstress by trade, but also made clothes for the entire family. A gifted gardener, she grew many vegetables, canning and storing them so they could be enjoyed year-round, and she especially enjoyed preserving her famous canned kraut. Cooking brought her great joy, and she loved to host family for Sunday dinners and looked forward to the annual James’ family reunions. Whether it was a family get together, an event at church, or a home-cooked meal, Mrs. Foster put her heart into all that she did and always put others first. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Foster was preceded in death by her husband, Autry M. Foster; her sister, Lucille Mize; and her brothers, Burlon James, Dan James, Floyd James, Dorris James, Buren Hayse James, and Bonnie Lee James.

Mrs. Foster is survived by her daughter, Denise Foster Faust and her husband, Vernon of Oxford, MS; son, Tommy Foster and his wife, Susan of Oxford, MS; six grandchildren, Doug Foster and his wife, Jillian, Brian Foster and his wife, Cydney, Lindsay McGregor and her husband, Lance, Eddie Faust and his wife Candy, Will Faust and his wife, Laura, and Marsha McLarty and her husband, Curtis; sixteen great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Joan Foster and Wilma Myers and her husband, Marvin; brother-in-law, Jerry Foster; and a host of nieces and nephews.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Mrs. Foster’s memory may be made to the Tula Cemetery Fund, c/o Janis Downs, 64 County Road 436, Oxford, MS 38655.