Leola

Foster

Leola Foster, age 89, of Hackensack, New Jersey, peacefully passed away on December 19, 2025.Leola was born on September 23, 1936, in Chester, South Carolina, to the late President Foster and Mamie Bell Cheatom Foster. She was educated in Chester and proudly graduated from Finley High School. After graduation, she relocated to New Jersey, where she built a life rooted in faith, family, and purpose.

She leaves behind her four beloved children: Symphony Foster, Melody Foster, Jazzy Foster, and Clyde Foster. She became a grandmother on October 4, 1982, to Ali B. Foster, whom she helped nurture, loved deeply, and helped raise. She was also a proud grandmother to Zoe, Zari, Christopher, Michael, and Noah, and a loving great-grandmother to four great-grandchildren, all of whom brought her immense joy.

Leola was one of eight siblings and was preceded in death by six siblings: Robert Foster, Mary Alice Roberson, Richard Foster Sr. (survived by his wife, Ida Foster), Betty Humes, Perl Foster, and Woodrow Foster. She is survived by her beloved brother, Hugh Foster, and his wife, Van. Leola considered her brothers and sisters her best friends, sharing an especially close and cherished bond with her sister Betty, whose companionship and love meant so much to her. A faithful, praying woman, Leola was known for getting on her knees every night to pray, a quiet devotion that shaped her home and her children's lives. She loved routine and order, waking up at the same time each morning and enjoying breakfast at the same hour every day — a reflection of her discipline, steadiness, and strength. Gifted with her hands, Leola was known for her exceptional seamstress and upholstery skills. She was also an excellent cook, especially loved for her potato salad and banana pudding, dishes that brought family and friends together and made every gathering feel like home. Music was one of her greatest joys. She loved the sounds of her era — The Temptations, The O'Jays, and Sam Cooke — and was especially proud to have seen The Temptations perform live in New York City, a memory she treasured. Leola will be remembered for her steadfast faith, nurturing spirit, and unwavering love for her family. Her life was one of prayer, consistency, and grace — a legacy that will continue to live on through generations.

She also leaves behind a host of loving cousins, nieces, and nephews, along with many dear friends whose lives she touched.

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You."

— Isaiah 26:3