Obituary of LaRue E. Foster

LaRue Foster passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on the morning of Thursday, September 28, 2017, in San Jose, California. LaRue was born on June 27, 1920 to Varner and Willie Rodgers in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. She was raised in Arkansas and received her Bachelor's Degree and Teaching Credential at Arkansas A and M, now known as the University of Arkansas at Monticello, the first in her family to graduate from college. After teaching in Arkansas, she moved to Washington, D.C. then Los Angeles during World War II to work in the war industry. It was in California that she met and married her husband of 49 years, John Foster. She and John lived in Ben Lomond and then Scotts Valley. Although she retains a residence in Scotts Valley, her recent years were spent in San Jose, where she moved to be closer to her daughter, Antoinette (Toni). LaRue taught in the San Lorenzo Valley for more than 40 years, her most recent and favorite grade was kindergarten. After retirement, she volunteered for several organizations in the Santa Cruz Area and was a recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award. As an active member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, Theta Chapter, she served as chapter president, Area V Director, and held several California State leadership positions. She was awarded the honor of Distinguished Service to California State in 1999. LaRue is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Antoinette and Gary Cook of San Jose, sister, Maxine Shumaker, 95, of Arkansas, and several nieces and nephews. A public memorial service will be held on October 5, 2017, at 1:00 P.M. at the Oakwood Chapel, 3301 Paul Sweet Road, Santa Cruz, following a private burial. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, California State Organization, 808 University Ave, Sacramento, CA 95825.