George Carroll Foster went to be with Jesus on February 23, 2014 at 10:30 am. He departed this life from the Missouri Veteran’s Home in Mount Vernon. Carroll was born on September the 23rd, 1932 in Iowa City, IA to George Washington and Earlie Belle (Hunter) Foster. When Carroll was still a young child, the family moved to a farm in Elk Creek, MO. In Elk Creek, Carroll attended elementary school. Later, while still living at Elk Creek he attended the high school in Cabool, MO from which he graduated. After moving to Springfield, MO, he attended Draughon Business College before being drafted into the army.
After serving 2 years as a Medical Technician in the U.S. Army, Carroll married Grace Maxine (Macky) Whetstine on December the 22nd, 1953 in Cabool, MO. Carol and Macky bought their first home in West Plains, MO and later moved to Springfield where Carroll resumed his education through the G.I. Bill. He attended Drury College while working for the Mo State Highway Department in the Right of Way division.
Carroll accepted Jesus in 1959 at the First Baptist Church in Springfield, MO. The following year the family moved to Cabool, MO. Carroll continued working for the MO State Highway Department, but transferred to the Willow Springs office. Carroll and Macky were energetic members of the community and the Cabool First Baptist Church, at which Carroll was an active deacon. While in Cabool, Carroll received his broker’s license and began work as a real estate appraiser.
Carroll and Macky raised 3 biological sons and one foster son. (Oh, that’s right. They’re all four “Foster” sons). All graduated from Cabool High School and went on to college and university.
Carroll and Macky moved back to Springfield in 1998, where they joined the South Gate Baptist Church. At Southgate Carroll again served as a deacon. In Springfield, Carroll continued to work as a real estate appraiser. He also enjoyed golfing, time with friends and family and retirement with his wife Macky. In December 2004, after suffering a massive stroke, he spent a month in ICU and then lived a short time at the James River Care center in Springfield. He then returned home to live with Macky for three years until his state of health required full-time nursing care. At this point Carroll moved to the Mount Vernon Veteran’s Home.
Carroll was preceded in death by his parents, George and Earlie Foster and his half-brothers Russell and Kenneth Foster.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Macky Foster of Springfield, his son Kim and wife Laurie Foster of Fayetteville, Arkansas, son Barry and wife Patty of Hillsborough, North Carolina, son Dr. Lance and wife Kelly Foster of Fayetteville, Arkansas and foster-son Dr. Tom and wife Sarah Jones of Bolivar, Missouri.
Sixteen grandchildren: Moss Foster and Sally Ingram, Nathan Foster, Makayla and husband Joey Partch, Daniel Griggs, Amber Mizell, Jessie Mizell, and J.P. Mizell, Graham Foster, Nolan Foster, Harper Foster, Madeleine Jones, Abby Jones, Sam Jones and John Jones. Three great-grandchildren: Caleb Partch, Alex Foster and Makenzie Foster. He is also survived by the children and families of his brother Kenneth of Illinois.
Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, February 26, 2014, at 10:00 a.m. in Greenlawn Funeral Home South at 441 W. Battlefield, Springfield, MO. Burial will follow the service in the Missouri Veteran’s Cemetery, 5201 South Southwood, in Springfield. Visitation will be from 6 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2014 in the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to:
Missouri Baptist Children’s Home
11300 St. Charles Rock Road
Bridgeton, MO 63044-2793