Clara Virginia Hodnette Foster

FOSTER, Clara Hodnette, 89, a resident of Montgomery, passed away on October 15, 2011. Visitation will be from 5pm-7pm on Wednesday, October 19, 2011 at White Chapel-Greenwood Funeral Home; graveside service will be at 1pm on Thursday, October 20 in Greenwood Cemetery. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. R. E. Hodnette, Sr., Clara was born on October 30, 1921 in Chatom, AL, and was raised in Atmore, AL. She was preceded in death by her husband Dr. R. S. Foster. Clara is survived by her sons, E. Frank Schmidt (Carolyn) of Birmingham, and Ralph S. Foster, Jr. (Lesley) of Montgomery; a granddaughter, Anna Schmidt of Birmingham; her cousins, nieces and nephews of the Brooks, Hodnette and Foster Families; and her devoted caregivers Wanzie House and Bessie Hill. Clara earned degrees from both Huntingdon College and Auburn University, and her medical technology certification from Tulane University. Except for an interval in the 1950s when she worked for the U. S. Public Health Service, Clara was an educator for over forty years. She taught at Escambia County High School, Huntingdon College, Saint James School, where she founded the Science Department of the new high school in 1970, and finally for Troy State University in Montgomery. She was also a long-time teacher in the First Baptist Church Sunday School children's department. Along with her husband, Clara was active as a volunteer and officer in the state and local dental societies. Clara will be remembered for her love for her family, her devotion to her students, her zeal for science and learning, and her joy in gardening, birds and pets. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Foundation, the Montgomery Zoo, the Montgomery Humane Society, or to one's favorite charity.