Brenda Shelton Foster

Brenda S. Foster passed away in November of 2021 surrounded by family in Richmond, VA. She was born to the late Frank C. Shelton and Mildred M. Shelton and grew up in Salem, VA. Brenda was the third of four children and graduated from Andrew Lewis High School in Salem. She went on to attend Radford College for a BS degree in Art with a minor in History. While in college, she met and married her husband of fifty-six years, Lewis, a graduate student at nearby Virginia Tech. After achieving her degree and getting married, they spent some time stationed at the Redstone Arsenal Army base in Alabama. After Lewis was honorably discharged, they relocated to Bluefield, VA, where her love for children and education led her to a public school teaching career at Graham Middle School. She was the school’s dedicated art teacher for many years and also taught a few history classes during her tenure. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Bluefield, WV, where she was a choir member. She also volunteered in the local Bluefield arts community on various art committees throughout the years. She especially enjoyed designing scenery for the Bluefield Dance Theatre. Upon her retirement, she moved to Richmond, Virginia to be near family. She spent a lot of time visiting with her family, playing with her granddaughter, gardening, doing yoga, and feeding the birds and chipmunks. She is preceded in death by her parents and husband. She is survived by her two daughters, two sons-in-law, a granddaughter, two sisters, and a brother. A private ceremony will take place on a future date. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her name to the American Cancer Society.