Hiram Everett Foster

Hiram Everett Foster, 100 years, 9 months, and 13 days, went to his heavenly home on April 1, 2024. He was born in Richards, Texas, July 19, 1923, in Walker County. After 3 brothers and 5 sisters awaited his arrival, one more sister would come after him, completing the family. He worked hard all his life beginning at age 6 when he would plow the fields and pick cotton. His life was not always easy growing up during The Great Depression, but he never complained. He never shied away from work. Hiram was the kind of man all men should strive to be. He was patient, honest, kind, hardworking, he had a servant’s heart and was a devout Christian. Hiram was a founding member of Union Grove Baptist Church in Richards where he met his future wife. He married Florine Gideon on December 24, 1945, and remained a faithful, loving husband for 71 years until her passing on March 19, 2017. He missed her every day after that. He worked for Montgomery County driving heavy equipment, helping to build many of the roads in Montgomery and Richards. In 1956, they moved to Pasadena where he went to work as a shift worker at Petro Tex Chemical as the Chief Operator Boiler House operator for 37 years. He served as a deacon and treasurer at Second Baptist Church in Pasadena, TX for many years. He was devoted to his four children, eleven grandchildren and eighteen great grandchildren. His love for his family was the best part of his life. He loved to play games and spent many hours with friends and family playing 42, 84, or dominos. He returned to Richards after the death of his wife and was a member once again of Union Grove Baptist. He is preceded in death by his wife Florine Gideon Foster, parents Joseph and Gatsey Foster, Son-In-Law Darwin Barnes, Grandson Donald Foster Jr., brothers Joseph, Jim Henry, Willard (Buddy), sisters, Ethel, AnnieBelle, Gatsey, Ernestine, Marcelle, and Mary. He is survived by his son Gary Foster of Richards, TX and wife Dee; his son Donald Foster of Alexandria, VA and wife Shirley; his daughter Diane Foster Barnes of Pasadena, TX; and his son Stephen Foster of Deer Park, TX and wife Kimberly. Grandchildren: Shelley Foster McLaughlin, Stacey Foster Norstrud, Laura Lyons Keith, Shiree Foster, April Foster Ponnuru, Amber Foster Schwartz, Bradley Barnes, Wesley Barnes, Maria Sheldon, Jaime Foster Mellinger, and Erin Foster Heflin. Great Grandchildren: Ty McLaughlin, Chase Foster, Alisa Foster, James Foster, Mary Ponnuru, Elizabeth Ponnuru, Xavier Ponnuru, Eleanora Schwartz, Luke Schwartz, Alyssa Barnes, Daniel Barnes, Colton Barnes, Audrey Heaton, Adele Sheldon, Meredith Mellinger, Chloe Mellinger, Hannah Heflin, Madison Heflin and scores of nieces, nephews, and friends. He was the last of a legacy of the Foster children which spanned 116 years. You may leave written memorials to his family at www.shmfh.com

Hiram Everett Foster

July 19, 1923 - April 1, 2024