Barbara Foster Solliday

Barbara Foster Solliday gently passed into the arms of her heavenly Father on November 26, 2022, at the age of 88. Her loved ones take peace in our assurance that she has heard her Lord say, “Welcome good and faithful servant.”

Of all the virtues that shined in the life of Barbara Foster Solliday, "faithful" is the one that glowed most brightly. Barbara was born on May 15, 1934, to William Henry Foster from Iowa and Zelma Frances Cole from Virginia. She grew up in the quiet town of Hamburg, Iowa, where she was a faithful member of the Hamburg Christian Church. Her lifelong friend Victor Knowles II, remembers seeing Barbara as a teen serving faithfully in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, and in most arenas of church life. Victor regarded Barbara in a similar way that the apostle Paul honored the mother of Rufus who was "like a mother" to him (Romans 16:13).

Barbara also connected at her church with a wonderful woman named Margaret Solliday who was “like a mother” to Barbara. When Barbara moved from Iowa to California in the late 1980s to live and work near her aunt and enjoy warmer Orange County weather, she met Horace Solliday (Margaret’s son) at his church in Tustin. Back in the Hawkeye state, Margaret had told Barbara much about Horace but he did not know anything about her. So, while visiting, she revealed to him that she was from Hamburg and was a dear friend to his mother Margaret. That grabbed Horace’s attention. No woman has ever used a more effective line with which to befriend a man. Mutually surprised by love later in life, they tied the knot and remained married for twenty-five years until Horace passed in 2017.

Barbara had no children of her own but as a young lady in her fifties, she claimed Horace’s sons (my brothers and me) as her own four beloved boys. I know because she always treated my brothers and me like princes. This includes Jim (Cathye) Solliday, Tim (Pauline) Solliday, Joel (Mary Ellen) Solliday, and Leslie Franklin Solliday.

Barbara was truly faithful to her new family. In addition, she was warmly embraced by our extended family at our Spurgeon Family Reunions, which she faithfully attended when health permitted. At our family reunion potlucks, Barbara’s tasty green bean concoction became quite popular. And nobody could make eggs benedict like Barbara.

For the final twenty years of Barbara’s life, her Tustin church family was a giant blessing from heaven in the lives of both Horace and Barbara. They were faithful to this family of faith and their church returned this faithfulness in spades. All four of her beloved boys are deeply grateful to the Tustin Church of Christ family.

Barbara loved us all so much. That includes her adopted Solliday family as well as her treasured church family. Her faithfulness commands our abiding respect and appreciation. Barbara will be fondly missed but our grieving hearts are also filled with gratitude.

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A personal tribute by Joel Solliday, December 15, 2022.