Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster Wetumpka, Alabama Obituary

Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster

<p>Jessie R. Foster was born February 26, 1936, in Elmore County to the late Ezra Shealey and Florence Cunigan.</p> <p>At an early age, she joined Beulah Baptist Church, where she remained a faithful member until she gained her wings. Sister Foster served faithfully on the usher board and served as President of the Missionary Board. She was united in Holy Matrimony in 1964 to Claude Foster Jr.</p> <p>She graduated high school from RR (Robert Russa) Moton High School, Tallassee, AL, in 1965. She was a licensed cosmetologist for 40 years&nbsp;and taught cosmetology at John Patterson Technical College in Montgomery, Alabama.&nbsp;She began her Head Start career in 1967, when it was a summer program, with Elmore/Autauga Community Action Committee. She held almost every position you can in Head Start over her forty-plus years of service.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under her leadership, the Elmore, Autauga, Chilton, and Shelby County Head Start/Early Head Start program expanded from 40 summer slots to serve 635 full-day slots for children and families before she retired in July 2008.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><!--Zoho writer list char starts-->&nbsp;<!--Zoho writer list char starts ends-->She and her administrative assistant, Ruth Witherspoon, wrote for and was awarded expansion services for Head Start in Shelby County in the mid-1990s.</p> <p><!--Zoho writer list char starts-->&nbsp;<!--Zoho writer list char starts ends-->She saw a need to provide extended day services and ventured into providing before, and aftercare for Head Start children on site.</p> <p><!--Zoho writer list char starts-->&nbsp;<!--Zoho writer list char starts ends-->Jessie ensured that 11 Head Start sites received National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation.</p> <p><!--Zoho writer list char starts-->&nbsp;<!--Zoho writer list char starts ends--> Ms. Jessie was accepted to the UCLA/Johnson &amp; Johnson Head Start Management Fellows Program through the UCLA Anderson School of Business.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Only a limited number of candidates are accepted from a nationwide submissions pool over the past 25 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ms. Jessie was one of the first groups to complete the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is a very prestigious accomplishment.</p> <p>She saw the need for Early Head Start services and gain expansion funding for 88 slots.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p><!--Zoho writer list char starts-->&nbsp;<!--Zoho writer list char starts ends-->The Jessie R. Foster Early Head Start Center opened in 2003, serving 40 infants and toddlers age 6 weeks to 36 months.&nbsp;&nbsp;The naming of the facility was a surprise for Ms. Jessie.</p> <p><!--Zoho writer list char starts-->&nbsp;<!--Zoho writer list char starts ends-->Under a new administration funding for a Head Start/Early Head Start center, next door to the existing EHS center opened in 2018, a 2+ million dollar building also bore her name.</p> <p><!--Zoho writer list char starts-->&nbsp;<!--Zoho writer list char starts ends-->She visited and toured the facility named after her before it opened. As well as served the Alabama Head Start Association (AHSA) as Secretary in Marketing /Public Relations and served on almost every committee in the AHSA. Jessie was a proponent for adult education and provided GED classes for parents on site.</p> <p>Forever in our Hearts</p> <p>She was preceded in death by her&nbsp;parents: Ezra Shealey and Florence Cunigan, husband Claude Foster Jr., brother George (Smokey) Cunigan, sisters Niczora Leonard and Clara Kelley, daughter Teresa Pace, and son Charles Chapman.</p> <p>God called her home on March 17, 2021. She leaves to cherish her loving memories, four daughters: Diane (Ernest) Purter, Sandra Thomas (Nathaniel), Antha (Van)Matthews, All Eclectic Al., Pamela Foster, Montgomery Alabama: two sons: Leonard Chapman and Wade Chapman, Eclectic Alabama.&nbsp;20&nbsp;grandchildren&nbsp;Angelic (Johnny) Columbus, GA., Nicki (Devron)James, Eclectic AL., Mark Foster, Kayla Foster, Kyle Foster, Montgomery AL., Michael&nbsp;(Michelle) Purter Atlanta&nbsp;Ga., Eric Purter, Jessica Pace, Tracy (Ramona)Buckhannon,&nbsp;Kevius (Latoya), Kourtney Matthews, Kristopher (Shirley) Matthews, Julius Brown, Quinton Moorer, All Eclectic AL., Leonard Chapman Jr., Atlanta Ga. Kenneth (Kesha)Montgomery AL., Marc (Shuronda)Brown Montgomery AL.,&nbsp;Lisa Brown, Tammy Brown; both Eclectic Alabama, LaQuana (Antonio) Murray; Millbrook Al. 43 great-grandchildren, nine great-great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.&nbsp;</p>
March 17, 202103/17/2021
Share Obituary:
Share a Memory
Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster
Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster
Tribute WallObituary & Events
Send FlowersPlant a tree

Share a memory

Add to your memory
Photos/Video
Candle
Mementos

Tribute wall

Plant a tree in memory of Mrs Jessie

An environmentally friendly option
Plant a tree
T
Trishunda Hurst-Davenport
March 23, 2021
My sincere condolences to the family. I will always remember your encouraging words and speeches you provide at our Head Start pre-services. It was an honor to work with you. Your leadership will never be forgotten. Rest in heaven peacefully.
Comment
G
Geraldine Jette
March 21, 2021
Mrs. Jessie  will be missed.  My sincere condolence and prayers for the loving family.
Comment
O
Olivia Paschal
March 21, 2021
I am Olivia.i will miss you.i enjoy the years we spent together...to the families she was a wonderful woman AND a blessed to everyone... I am praying for this wonderful families GOD will give you the strength you need.
Comment
V
Vickie Leonard-Oliver
March 21, 2021
Remembering all the knowledge you instilled with love, grace and smiles. Rest in paradise.
A candle was posted for Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster.
A candle was posted for Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster.
Comment
L
LaGora Harrell
March 21, 2021
It is more than a pleasure to have known and worked with and for Mrs. Foster. A woman full of knowledge and a Love for God. We never started a meeting without prayer. Rest in peace Woman of God!
Memorial Tree

Memorial Tree was purchased for the family of Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster. Send flowers

J
Joyce Agnew Jones
March 21, 2021
I miss you already.  I have lots of memories of the years We shared. Rest in heavenly peace 💞
A candle was posted for Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster.
A candle was posted for Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster.
Comment
J
Johnnie Jean Leonard Smith-Jackson and Family
March 20, 2021
When peace like a river attendeth my way
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well with my soul! Cousin Jessie Ruth will forever be embedded in my memory with love and adoration for her Christ like spirit and... Continue Reading
Comment
G
Guest
March 20, 2021
Those who trust in The Lord will renew their strength: they will soar on wings like eagles:they will run and not become weary,they will walk and not faint. ISAIAH 40-31 cbs
REV WQ Robinson and niece
Memorial Tree

Memorial Tree was purchased for the family of Mrs Jessie Ruth Foster. Send flowers

Fannie May
March 20, 2021
To the family of our loving mother Sis. Foster God has called her home. She will be missed dearly the phone call every day or every other day checking on her Pastor Rev.WQ Robinson. When she couldn’t talk to him. The relationship sis Foster and I had can never be repla... Continue Reading
Comment
D
Danette B. Battle
March 19, 2021
Mrs. Jessie Ruth Foster thank you for always supporting my ministry. You were truly a special and kind Women of God. Your beautiful smile and personality always would light up a room. Rest well our precious angel. Evangelist Danette B. Battle & Family.
Comment