Avis Pentecost Foreman

The center of our family, to whom Avis A. Foreman was devoted, passed into glory October 13, 2018. She grew up, married and had her "Pentecost" family in Houston, TX. Moving to Memphis in 1950, she pursued a career in education, teaching first grade ten years all while working on her undergraduate and Masters degrees from Memphis State University. Her Teaching expertise led to a position of Area Instructional Supervisor with Memphis City Schools. There she mentored teachers in dozens of city schools while evaluating student teachers for Memphis State. She helped create and implement two valuable programs, "Headstart" for early childhood education and the gifted program available in all city schools today called "CLUE." With the success of these ventures, Ms. Avis became a knowledgeable speaker and valued coordinator of educational workshops for school systems throughout the U.S. and several foreign countries which she conducted. She retired from Memphis City Schools but continued her teaching in the Education Department at Memphis State University. She enjoyed her honorary and professional organizations of TEA, NEA, ATE, and the founding Memphis chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, where she held every office, along with King's Daughters and being an avid church worker and community volunteer. She kept in touch with her many friends and coworkers through multiple bridge clubs, pleasure trips, and serving her church family.

Her happiest years began with the marriage of a fellow educator (she met at all those professional conventions) and the love of her life, Lester Foreman. They lead in their respective careers of education and actively served at St. Luke's Methodist Church. Retirement was full with the welcoming of each grand and great grandchild, a combined total of 20. That began their need to travel to see family and enjoy the sights. They bought a motor home and visited all 50 states, Mexico, Canada, and cruised to multiple foreign countries. She lived a long , fruitful, rewarding life in service to God, family, and her job (in that order) and was revered by all who knew her.

Ms. Avis is survived by two cherished children, Jim Pentecost of Germantown and Penny Powers of Collierville, stepchildren, Mary Murphy (John) of Bozeman, MT and Gary Foreman (Michelle) of Boulder, CO. They and their many grand and great grandchildren brought her so much joy and blessing. She and Les were generously giving and lovingly involved with their blended and bonded cherished families.

Visitation begins at 1:00 PM with Ms. Avis's celebration service beginning at 2:00, Thursday, October 18, 2018 at St. Luke's Methodist Church on Highland in Memphis.

If any memorials in her honor are desired, she would love to have S. Luke's United Methodist Church be considered as a beneficiary.