Jolene Louise Pierce Foster passed away on May 4, 2018. She was born on January 28, 1926 in Coffeyville, Kansas. Jolene's early family life focused around the Plaza Cafe; the family restaurant. Both parents, Robert D. Pierce and Josephine Cardot, worked 12 to 14-hour days, sharing the management of the restaurant during the Great Depression and WWII. It was here at the Plaza she met John Foster who left a $0.50 tip...Mom always wondered who got the best deal?
In January 1939, on her 13th birthday, her mom and dad gave her a baby-grand Wurlitzer Piano. Jolene loved music and expressed this love through the piano. She was the Symphony Conductor and President of the Tillies at Field Kindley High School her senior year. She loved, enjoyed and played her piano all her life.
She married John T. Foster, Captain US Army Air Corps in San Antonio, Texas at "Love Field" with a military sword ceremony on May 24, 1944. In 1946, Jolene and John would return to John's home in Jacksonville, Florida.
Jolene enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom for her three sons, John Jr., David H., and James D. Foster from 1946 to 1965.
In Tallahassee, Jolene served on the staff of Teacher Retirement and, later, the Department of Retirement. From 1965 to 1983, she calculated the benefits for thousands of teachers and state workers, as they left regular employment. With the unexpected loss of John in 1986, Jolene would volunteer at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital; volunteering more than 20,000 hours as a Pink Lady. She worked for more than a decade at the Gift Shop at TMH delivering flowers, a job where she found joy in helping and visiting with thousands of patients.
Her strength for daily living came from her faith. She attended Gray Memorial United Methodist Church. Jolene's active participation continued for over five decades; she loved music and was thrilled to play the piano for weekly services. When not at church she couuld be found packing for another world travel, planning a fishing trip to the beach, bidding at the bridge table, playing the piano, writing thank you notes, get well notes or just notes of encouragement to family and friends; preparing for a red-hat party, baking something delicious, and "joyfully" found shopping at the Dollar Store, Dollar General or Family Dollar.
Jolene spent her days doing what she enjoyed most, being with family and friends...these were the love of her life. She was a wonderful daughter, wife, daughter-in-law, mother, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, aunt, grandmother, and great-grandmother and will be greatly missed.
Jolene is survived by her sons, John T. Foster, Jr.; David H. Foster (Fran) and Jim Foster (Carol); Grandsons, Preston Foster (Kerri); Robert Foster, Bruce Foster (Kayla); and great grandchildren, Brayden, Linley, Marin, Charlie Kate, and Cash.
Services are scheduled for Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Park, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee. Visitation beginning at 2:00pm and Funeral starting at 3:00pm, with interment follow at Roselawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Pink Ladies at TMH or to Gray Memorial Methodist Church, 2201 Old Bainbridge Road, Tallahassee, FL 32303.
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