Mary Louise Farr Foster

Mary Louise Farr Foster, loving wife, mother, and sister, with her two children at her bedside, peacefully left this world, at the age of 91, to be with her heavenly Father on Sunday, July 4, 2010. She was born to Jasper Newt Howard, and Ethel May (Amlin) Howard, in Ector, Texas on September 13, 1918. After a short time living in Oklahoma, her family moved to Buffalo Gap, Texas, when she was a teenager, traveling there in a wagon. Louise met her husband, J.A. Farr Jr. at Wylie High School in the 1930's. They were introduced by his sister Gracie, whom she was already good friends with. Louise was a 1938 graduate of Wylie High School. She married J.A. on December 31, 1939 at the Methodist church in Buffalo Gap. They shared 54 years together on a farm in the Wylie community. They raised two children, Linda, born in 1943, and Larry, born in 1946. J.A. passed away on December 12, 1993. Louise was a long-time member of Wylie United Methodist Church. She loved working in the church, and the community. She was the living definition of the supportive, loving, Christian wife. She was the secretary at Bowie Elementary School, in Abilene ISD for 28 years, from 1953 to 1981. She loved the children, and all the people she worked with. She always greeted people with a smile, and never met a stranger. She was like sunshine. On April 30, 2000 she married Eudean Foster, a long-time church friend. Eudean was a blessing to her, as they shared ten happy years together. Mary Louise was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, J.A. Farr Jr.; her parents, Jasper and Ethel Howard; her sisters, Jewel Dotson, Virginia Bishop and Florence Newberry; a brother, Elmer Howard; and a great-granddaughter Teagyn Wood. She is survived by her husband, Eudean Foster; her brother, Kenneth Howard; her daughter, Linda Cheek and husband Ronnie of Abilene; her son, Larry Don Farr and wife Gelora of Abilene; four grandchildren, Randy Cheek and wife Dorthea, Jennifer Russell and husband Joseph, Duane Farr and wife Nicole, and Ginger Wood and husband Wesley; seven great-grandchildren, Mackenzie Russell, Haley Russell, Jacob Cheek, Emily Cheek, Cashlin Farr, Caitlin Farr, and Aiden Wood. She is also survived by four stepsons, Tommy Foster and wife Sharon, Terry Foster and wife Brenda, Ricky Foster and wife Sally, and Rex Foster and wife Darla; as well as nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Services for Louise will be on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 11:00 am at Wylie United Methodist Church, in Abilene. Pastor Jeff Hatcher and Gary Merrell, a nephew, will officiate. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Tuesday, July 6, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. Serving as pallbearers will be Randy Cheek, Duane Farr, Wesley Wood, Joseph Russell, Hollis Newberry, Pete Martin, Tommy Foster and Rex Foster. Jesse Edmonson will serve as an honorary pallbearer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Wylie United Methodist Church, 3430 Antilley Road, Abilene, TX 79606.