Shirley Paul Foster

Shirley Foster, age 84, daughter of the late Howard A. and Mary H. Paul, of Sandy Cross, GA, passed away Tuesday evening, September 27, 2011 after a long and intimate embrace with life... a weary but reluctant heart called home.

Shirley Beth Paul graduated from Lexington, Georgia's Meson Academy in 1944 and soon began a career in Atlanta providing business services for the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Company and, later, Sears, Roebuck and Company. In 1949 she became a full time wife and mother. Calling a number of places home, she lived in Atlanta, Jacksonville, Florida, Arlington, Virginia, Fayetteville, Georgia and, finally, Watkinsville, Georgia. Lisbon Baptist Church in Fayetteville was her church home where she loved the Lord and the teachings of his Word.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Clifton Foster, of Watkinsville; brothers Jervis and Broughton Paul of Sandy Cross, Georgia; sisters Valerie Spinks of Carlton, Georgia, and Betty Matthews of Lawrenceville, Georgia; son Gary E. Foster and wife Kathleen, of Athens; and step-son, Ron Suggs and wife Paula of Washington, Georgia. She also leaves a legacy of four granddaughters, Alice Davis, Nora Foster, Caroline Foster, Abigail Foster, and five great-grandchildren: Jada, Gene and Jonas Coker, along with Foster and Emory Davis. Heaven reunites her with four brothers: Maurice, Carrol, Joel and Jerry Paul.

Christ's assurance that "Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of my children, so have you done it to me" guided her labors for her beloved daughter Deborah, our "Angel Unaware", whom she raised and cared for until Deb's death at age 50. Her abundant love she shared with all of us, great and small alike. Her family and home were her joy. God's word was her sustenance.

Lord & Stephens Funeral Home, 4355 Lexington Road, Athens, Georgia will host her visitation on Thursday, September 29 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Her departure from the bonds of Earth is celebrated as was her arrival and baptism - at the Glade Baptist Church, Glade Community, Oglethorpe County on Friday, September 30 at 12 Noon. Interment will follow at Carlton Cemetery, Carlton, Georgia. Reverend Dr. Beth LaRocca-Pitts and Reverend Derek Paul will conduct the services.

A host of pallbearers including Glenn Paul, Dennis Paul, Russ Paul, Dean Paul, Ryan Paul, Jim Wells, Mike Reynolds, Bruce Cooper, Darryl Bacon and David Kennon will honor her in death as they honored her in life. Any who would honor her further may do so with a gift in lieu of flowers to the Fayette Community Option, 125 Bradford Square, Suite B, Fayetteville, Georgia, 30215.

Lord and Stephens East is in charge of arrangements.