Wanda Foster

Wanda Ann Foster, 96, of Fort Smith, Arkansas, passed away Friday, January 24, 2025. She was born on March 27, 1928 in Fort Smith to Logan H. Rogers and Wanda Parker Rogers. Wanda attended schools in Fort Smith, Arkansas. She attended Fort Smith Junior College and Texas Woman’s College in Denton, Texas.

She married James Patterson Foster in 1949, after Jimmy graduated from college. They met at age 14 while attending Fort Smith Junior High. Wanda Ann called him Jimmy, and when he passed, they were a few months short of their 73rd wedding anniversary. They have a daughter, Jane Foster Stauffer, and a son, John Patterson Foster. They raised their family in Fort Smith with loving grandparents to help. Wanda Ann and Jimmy enjoyed going to church and to the Chapel Class at First United Methodist Church.

Wanda was also a career woman. She began working in Civil Service positions at Fort Chaffee. As her working experience progressed, she began working for the Western District of Arkansas- U.S. Marshals Service. These were very fulfilling years for her. She eventually became the Administrative Officer of this U.S. Marshals Office. She retired in 1995 after 27 years on service.

Wanda Ann is preceded in death are her husband James Patterson Foster. She is preceded in death by her parents, Logan and Wanda Rogers, and her sister, Nancy Lee Rogers. Also preceding her in death are her daughter in law Debbie Patton Foster and her great-grandson Warren John Upchurch who died from childhood cancer.

Wanda is survived by her daughter Jane Foster Stauffer and her husband John R. Stauffer of Fort Smith; her son, John Patterson Foster; three granddaughters who love their Mimi, Kelli Stauffer Gordon and husband Clayton Gordon of Conway, Arkansas; Tracie Stauffer Nutter and husband Joseph Nutter of Murphy, Texas; and Whitney Foster Upchurch and husband Patrick Upchurch of Fayetteville. Wanda has five great grandchildren; Hannah Gordon, Elizabeth Gordon, James Clayton Gordon, Elinore Nutter and Meadow Saylor Upchurch.

Public viewing will be available Thursday, January 30, 2025 from 8:00am to 5:00pm at Edwards Funeral Home, 201 N 12th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901. A memorial service for Wanda will be held Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11:00 AM in Roebuck Chapel at First United Methodist Church, 200 N 15th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901. Private burial will take place at Forest Park Cemetery.

Memorial can be made to First United Methodist Church, Feeding Ministries, 200 N 15th St, Fort Smith, AR 72901.