Paul Foster

Leicester Paul James Foster, lifelong resident of Leicester, died Wednesday January 18, 2017. He was born March 15, 1928 to the late Dillard Foster and Nellie Rash Foster. After his mother died as a result of childbirth, he was raised by his grandfather, Melvin Foster and his Aunt Addie Robertson. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Louise and son, David who died in 1974. He was a graduate of West Buncombe High School and Western Carolina College. He retired from the NC Department of Transportation and prior to that, he worked at American Enka for 26 years. He was a generous man, giving of his time and talents to his friends and neighbors and was involved in the ministries of Newfound Baptist Church and West Asheville Baptist Church for all his life. He is survived by one son, Rick Foster and wife Teresa of Hickory; grandchildren, Sheila Kilby and husband Danny and Holly Penland and husband Layton all of Leicester, Matthew Foster and wife Misty of Vale and Sarah Foster of Mount Holly; 8 great-grandchildren and a brother, Albert Foster of Black Mountain. Funeral services will be held at 10 AM Saturday, January 21, 2017 at Newfound Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Friday at the Anders-Rice Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Newfound Baptist Church Youth Program, P.O. Box 6, Leicester, NC 28748 or CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.