Mrs. Charlotte Foster Gaston

Ecclesiastes 3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A Time to be Born....Mrs. Charlotte Cornelia Foster Gaston was born July 19, 1921 in Lenoir, North Carolina to the late Mrs. Edith Sophronia Powell Foster and Mr. Walter Alvin Foster. She was the fourth eldest of ten children. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Mr. Nelson Gaston; their children, Cynthia Renee Gaston and Olmstead Bryant Gaston; her siblings, Agnes Laman Horton, Marion Inez Campbell, Ellen Christine Horton, Laura Mabel Vaught and Lewis Tennyson Foster.

A Time to Live....Mrs. Gaston attended Caldwell County public schools in Lenoir, North Carolina and graduated from Freedman High School with the class of 1938. She took great pride in awards received for perfect attendance and for a paper entitled "Crime Does Not Pay" that is still a part of the schools' archives. She continued her education at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York where she earned an Associates Degree in Home Economics. Starting her career as a Union Seamtress, she expressed joy at being able to help with her family back home. In 1985 she retired as a Communications Technician from Mura Corporation in Hicksville, New York where she received recognition and commendations for her meticulous detail to work and excellence.

A Time to Love....On November 27, 1948 Charlotte was united in Holy Matrimony to Nelson Gaston of Savannah, Georgia in Brooklyn, New York and enjoyed forty-eight years of wedded bliss. They lived and raised their family in Westbury, Long Island, New York. As a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, the very essence of her being was embodied, which are the fruits of the Spirit love, joy, peace, longsuffering gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. She always cherished and enjoyed the company of her children, grandchildren and extended family. Mrs. Gaston knew no strangers. She enjoyed entertaining and receiving people into her home, which became a joyous enclave for all who knew her. She was a gourmet cook and the feasts that she prepared were delectable, innumerable, and memorable. In addition to preparing these and watching others partake,she enjoyed consuming them as well! . She often joked that if her appetite and love for food ever waned, call the doctor! She was quite the conversationalist and her warm caring disposition was engaging. Her sense of humor was infectious and her home was full of laughter, music and dance, even while doing chores. Children young and old loved and gravitated toward her. Being the seamstress that she was, she delighted in seeing her costume creations and children in the various school plays. And did she not have a knack for decorating the home, especially for the holidays.

She was always ready to rock and roll, and whenever the car hit the open road, she was your designated co-pilot on trips to visit family and friends in North Carolina, Massachusetts, New York and points beyond. She also developed a fondness for ocean cruises. In addition to traveling, she loved watching wrestling matches and even sat ringside at a professional WWF match. Going to concerts was another one of her favorite past times. She was a charter member of The Mothers Group of Westbury, The Civic Organization of New Castle and treasurer of The Garden Club of Savannah.

A Time to Serve....Charlotte was baptized at Saint Paul AME at eight years of age and attended church until moving to New York. She was a faithful member and parishioner of The Church of the Good Shepherd, New York City, New York; The Church of the Advent, Westbury, New York; and attended services at Saint George's Episcopal Church, Savannah, Georgia.

A Time to Mourn....By the Grace of God, Mrs. Charlotte F. Gaston enjoyed a long fulfilling life which we, her loved ones, were blessed to have shared. She valiantly endured a long debilitating illness and numerous hospitalizations without complaint. . Even until her last, she continually praised her LORD AND SAVIOR CHRIST JESUS reciting her favorite Psalm 19:14....Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer. On Wednesday, April 10, 2013, she left to cherish her memory, her beloved children Charlotte G. Gordon (Irving Eugene), Marion I. Gaston, Agnes G. Mitchell (Chris), Nelene R. Gaston, Anthony Gaston, Sheila E. Harris (Michael); daughter-in-law, Joyce Winstead Gaston; her grandchildren, Rachel B., Aaron J., Bethany L. Ewing (Byron), Brandon N., Garrett W., Alexis D., Warren A., Mallory E., Marcel C., Jasmine N.; her great-grandchildren, Zachariah D. and Micah L.; her siblings, Walter A. Foster, Edith C. Crisp, Betty J. Moore and Virginia A. Frazier, and a host of in-laws, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Her Legacy