Gail Phyllis (Blackwell) Foster's Obituary
Gail Foster Obituary
Services to honor and celebrate the life of Gail Phyllis Foster will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 6, 2020 at South Tulsa Baptist Church. Family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday, August 5, 2020 from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at RiverCrest Chapel and Event Center, Bixby. Gail passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2020 in Tulsa. She was 73. Born December 29, 1946, in Garden City, Kansas, Gail Phyllis Blackwell was the first of four children gifted to Robert Harold and Juanita Jean (Webster) Blackwell. The Blackwell family lived on a farm in the Pierceville, Kansas community where Gail received her early childhood education. She would attend and graduate high school in Garden City, Kansas.Following graduation, Gail attended junior college, also in Garden City, where she participated in Drama and was awarded a lead role in the school’s production of Dirty Work at the Crossroads. The following year she was crowned homecoming queen. Later, Gail transferred to the University of Kansas, where she studied Fashion Merchandising and became a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority. There, she also met the love of her life, Charles R. Foster, Jr. The couple married in March of 1969, and following a few moves with Charlie’s military service, settled in Tulsa. Gail worked for several years at the telephone company and the retailer, Miss Jackson’s. However, no job at that time was as great as caring for her family. She and Charlie welcomed two children: Brandon and Jill. Gail enjoyed the role of full-time mother and was wonderful at it. She would later return to school herself as she became a teacher, achieving her National Board Certification while enjoying a more than 20-year career with Jenks Public Schools.She primarily taught Third Grade and was recognized as Site Teacher of the Year for 2002-2003. A highly requested teacher, Gail, was a favorite with students, parents, and her peers. She relished working with and cheering on other teachers and was widely considered a mentor. Her catch-phrase was “How can I help?” and she truly was always ready to help and offer a smile and often a laugh. After her retirement in 2015, Gail continued to be involved and offer help wherever needed as she devoted her time and efforts to helping students as a Reading tutor.It was also through her involvement at the school that Gail developed a deep bond with a group of teachers who became known as “The Ruby Slippers.” The truth is that this group of women was more than mere friends; they became family. They had many adventures together over the years, laughing raucously and causing trouble wherever they went!When not at work, Gail would likely be found at her church, South Tulsa Baptist, where she was a charter member. True to character, she continually asked, “How can I help?” as she was involved in many ministries through the church. She thoroughly enjoyed her Sunday School class, “Ruth’s Open Door,” and loved to volunteer at Jenks CarePoint, The Ministry Center, help with the Floral Committee, the Hospitality Committee, or regularly visiting homebound women.Other activities that she enjoyed through the years included: gardening, baking, and hosting holidays or other special events. She was a wonderful hostess and cook! She even won a cherry pie baking contest in 1959!Gail was a unifier, with a unique gift for bringing a group of people together and developing a deep connection. From her teacher “pods,” to “The Ruby Slippers,” to the wide array of “family” that gathered at her house for holidays, she knew how to connect with and make everyone feel special and loved. Funny, unique, quirky, spunky, faithful, and kind are words that describe Gail. She was a wonderful mentor and friend who was loved by all – even though she was too humble to see it. Perhaps this was related to her fierce independence! There is no doubt that this amazing woman will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved her. Gail passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2020, in Tulsa. She was 73.She is survived by her children: son, Brandon Charles Foster; daughter, Jill Montgomery Curry and husband, Robin; grandchildren: Kyrsten Nicole Bacon, Emma Katherine Curry, Foster James Curry, and Cash Franklin Curry; brothers: Danny Robert Blackwell and Larry Jan Blackwell; nephews: Jeffrey William Walden, Steven James Walden, and Dillon Jakob Gore; cousins: Sara Gatty Clark and Hailey Grace Clark; brother-in-law, Ronald Louis Foster, and Christi Lynn Bingham, and sister-in-law, Judith Eloise Foster.She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Charles R. Foster, Jr. and her sister, Jean Renee Walden.
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