Wilma June Foster, 86

CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Wilma June Foster, of Chestertown, died peacefully on Tuesday, June 3, 2008, just five days shy of her 87th birthday.

She was born in Bulsar, India, on June 8, 1921, one of five children of Andrew and Bertha Butterbaugh who were Brethren missionaries.

After her parents died when she was 12, she and another sister, Mary, were raised by Dr. and Mrs. Roy M. Hoover in Roanoke, Va.

She attended an English boarding school in the Himalayan Mountains of India.

This and many other early childhood experiences greatly influenced her life.

Back in the States, she attended Bridgewater College in Virginia, earning a bachelor of science in music education degree.

Bridgewater was also where she met her future husband, Ermon Foster.

They were married on June 14, 1943, at Ferrum College in Virginia, where they were both teaching at the time.

They then moved to Nashville, Tenn., so Ermon could work on his graduate degrees at Vanderbilt University-Peabody College.

Both their children Andrew Ludwig and Bonnie Lynn were born during this time.

Following a year of living in Athens, Ga., and a stint at Concord College in West Virginia, the Foster's moved to Chestertown in 1949.

June started teaching for the Kent County educational system in 1952 and taught for 25 years, primarily at Galena Elementary School.

She loved teaching and giving herself to the hundreds of students she taught.

She enjoyed creating artistic bulletin boards, and initiated the GVIG club, which promoted civic mindedness in her students.

During these years she attended University of Maryland, the University of Delaware, and Washington College, pursuing a degree in art education.

In 1965 June received a grant from Wye Foundation to travel to Latin America for the summer. She retired in 1978.

June was an active member of the Christ Methodist Church.

Her training and love of music was expresses through her involvement in the choir for over 50 years.

During this time she also acted as choir director for several years and substitute organist.

Her many talents were utilized through her church activities in other ways, too.

June crocheted Chrismons, which are symbols of the church, she initiated the "Cookie Walk," and she designed dedication windows for her husband to create in stained glass.

June was a talented pianist and enjoyed playing classical music.

She also spent hours crafting pictures, some large tapestries with needle and thread.

These works of art, labors of love were gifted to her children and grandchildren.

June also found time to write her memoirs, an amazing chronicle of beautiful life well lived.

She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Ermon Nelson Foster; two children, Andrew Foster and his wife Shirley of Chestertown, and Bonnie Foster Howell and her husband Jed Howell of Sudlersville; five grandchildren, Dax Foster of Charlottesville, Va., Tonya Howell of Warren, Vt., Torr Howell and his wife Erina of Chestertown, Jennine Foster of Pittsburgh, and Scott Foster of Worton; a brother, Andrew Gladen Mathis of Tampa, Fla.; a sister, Vila Barnhart of Lavern, Calif.; and five great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Saturday in Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road, Chestertown. S

Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday in Christ United Methodist Church.

Interment will be held privately at St. Paul's Cemetery.

Instead of flowers, contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 262, Chestertown, MD 21620.

Online condolences may be made at www.fhnfuneralhome.com.