Memorial services for Nelda Kathryn Oxford Foster, 86, of Ruston, will be held at 3:00 pm, Thursday, May 25, 2023, in the chapel at Temple Baptist Church in Ruston, Louisiana with Rev. Dale Oden and Dr. Reggie Bridges officiating. Visitation will be from 2:00 pm until 3:00 pm in the chapel. Interment will be at Colvin Memorial Cemetery in Dubach, Louisiana under the direction of Kilpatrick’s Funeral Home.
Our beloved mother and mamaw passed away May 22 at the Russ House in Ruston following a lengthy illness.
Kathryn Foster was born December 25, 1936, to Walter Henry Oxford and Eunice Skinner Oxford in Junction City, Arkansas.
After moving around for a while, the family ended up moving just west of Ruston off Highway 80, during which time Kathryn attended Ruston High School, graduating in May of 1955.
Kathryn gained employment in Ruston at Turner’s Five and Dime store. She soon thereafter in August of 1957 went to work for South Central Bell in the Ruston office as a switchboard operator. In 1987 she received recognition for thirty years of service as an operator. She then moved to the Monroe office as a service technician where she continued to work for “Ma Bell” which during this time became known as AT&T until her retirement in the 1990s. She was also a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers of America.
Kathryn was a self-taught artist who was initially timid in letting others view her work. She later sold some of her paintings and became very skilled at painting. She enjoyed sewing and putting puzzles together. A little-known fact is that Kathryn enjoyed square dancing and even earned a Bachelor of Square-Dancing diploma in May of 2000 at 63 years of age. She also had a passion for her rose gardens and grew the most beautiful roses.
Kathryn was an active member of Magi Chapter #85 Order of the Eastern Star where she held many positions over the years. She served as Worthy Matron five times, District Deputy Grand Matron two times, Grand Representative two times, and State Chairman four times. She also volunteered as a North Louisiana Medical Center auxiliary for many years providing thousands of hours of dedicated service.
Kathryn loved Temple Baptist Church and her church family. She was an active member for over sixty years. She loved her Sunday school class and singing in the choir. She greatly enjoyed going on trips with her church family and participating in many events throughout the years. She was a loyal and faithful servant of her Lord, Jesus Christ and you could hear it when she spoke and see it in how she lived.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, David Floyd Oxford, and Henry Wayne Oxford, and her sister, Virginia Gayle Oxford Chreene. She is survived by her children Linda Foster Clark and husband Jerry of Ruston, Louisiana, Angela Foster Houck and husband Tracy of Hico, Louisiana, grandson Caleb Clark and fiancé Amber Barnes of Monroe, Louisiana, granddaughters, April Clark Honaker of Ruston, Lauren Houck Holomon and husband Cohen of Arcadia, Louisiana and Anna Houck of Hico, sisters, Janece Oxford Miller and husband Louie of Ruston, Debra Lynn Oxford Riley and husband David of Hartselle, Alabama, four great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family would like to extend much gratitude to the staff at Russ Place, the staff of Northern Louisiana Medical Center Emergency Room, and all her caregivers during her last months. Special thanks to Vickie Bradley for the loving care she provided during these last few months.
