Vernon Leandis Foster Sr. was the second of four siblings born to the late Luke Kelly Foster and the late Lena Mae Mondy Foster Robinson. On Nov. 20, 2018, at 4 a.m., he answered God’s call and went quietly into eternal rest at his home in Varnado.

In 1955, Vernon joined the U.S. Army. After his discharge from the military, he returned home to Varnado, and later relocated to California.

Vernon accepted Christ at an early age at Mary’s Chapel United Methodist Church. While residing in California, he was a member of Wayside C.O.G.I.C. and All Nations C.O.G.I.C. He served as a Sunday school teacher, a deacon and a minister. In 1984, he and his wife Shirley relocated back to his hometown of Varnado, and he rejoined Mary’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

Vernon was preceded in death by his parents, Luke Kelly Foster and Lena Mae Mondy Foster Robinson; one son, Gen. Robert Foster; one grandson, Vernon Leandis Foster; one granddaughter, Tamika Moses; one brother, O’Neal Foster; and his first wife, Ella Mae Slocum Foster.

He leaves to cherish his memories: a loving and devoted wife of 50 years, Shirley Devine Foster; six daughters, Lavern Onjel Foster of Sacramento, Calif., Verdell Foster and Sandra Magee of Redding, Calif., Evonne (Herb) Collins of Sacramento, Lisa Devine of Los Angeles, Calif., and Renee (William) Mickens of Sandy Hook, Miss.; five sons, Frank Moses of New Orleans, Albert Foster of Redding, Charles (Felecia) Rhines of Varnado, Lt. Col. Angelo (Erica) Devine of Washington, D.C., and Vernon Leandis (Angie) Foster II of Las Vegas, Nev.; one brother, Willie D. (Arlethia) Foster and one sister, Lillian Foster (Hollis) Roberts of Varnado; 37 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; 18 great great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

The funeral service is set for Saturday, Dec. 8, at noon at Mary’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Varnado. His body will be open for viewing beginning at 9 a.m., until the start of the Celebration of Life Service at noon.