Rebecca Louise Foster

“Mom/Mimi Becky “Foster (Stephens)

Rebecca Louise Foster, lovingly known as “Mom,” Mimi,” “Becky,” and “Miss Foster” passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026, in Chandler, Texas, at the age of 89. Rebecca was born February 21,1936, in Nacogdoches, Texas. She lived a bold life, devoted to education, faith, family, and friendship.

Rebecca was a proud graduate and campus beauty at Stephen F. Austin State University. Her relentless passion for teaching began early in her career when she started working with individuals who had developmental disabilities. This dedication blossomed into a remarkable 45-year tenure at Tyler Junior College, where she taught Sociology, Psychology, Child Growth and Development, and Geriatrics. While at TJC, Rebecca was deeply involved in many student organizations and took great pride in nurturing her students’ growth potential both inside and outside of the classroom. Many of whom also loved her dearly.

She touched everything. She served as Faculty Senate President and was Club Sponsor of the Sociology Club. She donated 250 books to the campus library in honor & memory of her sister Bess, who she lost tragically as a young mother. She continued those efforts by establishing and funding the Bess Corbett Memorial Scholarship. Rebecca. Rebecca was committed to ensuring students could attend and thrive in college. In 1984, she led the first series of seminars designed to assist the student transition from high school to college. She was consistently ranked by TJC News as one of the “best dressed on campus”, which she was also something she very proud of.

As much as “Miss Foster” pushed people to learn, she pushed them to be active and to serve others. She spearheaded multiple campaigns that enlisted students to run and volunteer in the operations of the Tyler Azalea Run. She also co-founded “Walk A Mile For A Special Child” which helped send youth impacted by physical and developmental disability to a real summer camp experience each year at Camp Tyler. Rebecca was later named as a Smith County Board of Director for the ARC.

A devoted member of the Methodist Church in Tyler, Texas, Rebecca faith was central to her life. She found joy and solace in gospel music and lived her beliefs through kindness and compassion toward others. Rebecca cherished time spent with family and friends.She enjoyed playing bridge, dominos, and mah-jong and annual sleepovers with her ROWY friends. She loved her time at the salon, where she spent a great amount of her time with her dear friend Lawrence. She found beauty and peace in literature and nature. She was an avid reader, a dirty joke teller and spent endless hours outdoors “working in her flower beds”. She developed a knack for growing impressive azalea displays during the many years she spent living on South Chilton before moving her talents to Lake Palestine, where people still drove out to see her yard in the spring.

She is survived by her three children: Sandra “Sandi” Pantalon and husband Bob of Flint, Texas, Steve Laughlin of Tyler, Texas and Bess Cotten and husband Neilon of Chandler, Texas. Grandchildren: Sarah Taylor- West and husband Jonathan of Atlanta, Ga., Stephen Taylor and Layla, of Bullard, Texas, Arianna Holmes and husband Dane, of Bullard, Texas, Becca Lee and husband Brandon of the DFW Metro and Andrew Cotten of Lindale, Texas and 12 great-grandchildren who would all describe their “Mimi” as a fearless, hilarious and relentless force in their lives.

Rebecca was preceded in death by her parents, Paul Burron Stephens and Lucille Manning Stephens and sister, Bessie Corbett.

Rebecca’s memory will forever be cherished by those whose lives she touched through her teaching career, friendships, faith community, and family bonds.

May she rest peacefully in eternal grace. A Memorial Gathering will be held on March 5, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Home, 5400 North Street. Burial will follow at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Nacogdoches, Texas.

Funeral service is under the direction of Cason Monk - Metcalf Funeral Directors.