Lonnie B.Foster, Jr.

 Lonnie B. Foster, Jr., 82, of Greenville passed away on June 9, 2009 at Briarcliff Health Center.  Services will be at 2:00 PM Friday at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. Don McKenzie officiating.  Interment will follow at Memoryland Memorial Park.  Visitation will be from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM today at the funeral home.

Born on June 7, 1927, in Wiergate, he was the son of Lonnie Bee Foster, Sr. and Esma Miriam Irvin Foster.  On October 21, 1950, he married Merry Wood in Dallas.  He served in the United States Navy from May, 1945 through July, 1946 when he was honorably discharged.  He served on the USS Tulagi (aircraft carrier) in the Pacific.  In 1953, he moved to Greenville to begin his career as an independent life and health insurance agent with Fidelity Union Life Insurance Company.  He was an avid golfer and champion at Sand Oaks Country Club (now Oak Creek Country Club) where he served as a board member during the planning and building of the current clubhouse.  Formerly, he was an active member of the Jaycees, and he and his wife enjoyed their participation in a local dance club.  Lonnie was a charter member of the Crestview Christian Church.

Survivors include his wife of Greenville; son Charles Foster of Dallas; daughters Wrenda Francis and husband Stan of Sulphur Springs and Liz Thompson of Greenville; sisters Joey McKinley and husband Ed of Lindale and Geni Wooley and husband Scott of Sulphur, Louisiana; four grandchildren Corey Francis and wife Erin of Mattawan, Michigan, Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Jeremy Francis and wife Renee of Kailua, Hawaii, Nicole Fikes and husband Gary of Austin, and Ben Thompson of Washington, D.C.; 5 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents. 

Pallbearers will be Stan Francis, Corey Francis, Ben Thompson, and Gary Fikes.

Honorary pallbearer will be Lt. Cmdr. Dr. Jeremy Francis.

The family request memorials be made to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, Attn. Tribute Gifts, Church Street Station, P. O. Box 780, New York, NY   10008-0780.