Elizabeth Lester Foster

Elizabeth McConnico Lester Foster was born February 10, 1931 in Jackson, Mississippi. She entered her heavenly home on April 24, 2025 in Birmingham, Alabama at 94 years old. Elizabeth was the daughter of Jackson businessman Garner McConnico Lester and Elizabeth Wilkins Lester and was the niece of early Jackson educators Laura Lester and Annie Wallace Lester.

Elizabeth attended Poindexter School and was a 1949 graduate of Central High School, Jackson, Mississippi. Following the tradition of her father, her aunts, and uncles, she was a graduate of Millsaps College in 1953. Elizabeth was a member of her beloved Chi Omega, as well as the Millsaps Singers. She was presented by the Debutante Club of Mississippi in 1951.

Elizabeth met Charles Hill Foster in French class at Millsaps College. He would wait for her after class, “handsomely propped in the doorway to walk to lunch together”. She married Charles in 1953 at Capital Street Methodist Church, and they lived briefly in Greenwood and Meridian before settling back in Jackson to raise their family.

Elizabeth was involved in Girl Scouts, Chi Omega alumnae, Excelsior Literary Club, Jackson Preparatory School founding investors, First Presbyterian Day School committees, and Jackson Prep Pacer Mothers’ group for her three daughters.

A faithful member of Capital Street Methodist Church, Covenant Presbyterian Church, Grace Chapel Presbyterian, and later, Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, AL, Elizabeth, along with Charles, loved and enjoyed the fellowship and friendship of their church family.

An accomplished pianist, her family remembers fun evenings of singing at home, where she and Charles would sing “I Remember It Well” from Gigi and songs from Camelot. For decades, they played bridge weekly with dear friends. They enjoyed travel to New England, Europe, Hawaii, Scandinavia, Australia and New Zealand. They were thrilled to fly on the Concorde from Jackson to London and return by cruising on the Queen Elizabeth II.

Elizabeth and Charles loved to read and were frequent visitors to the library. Family trips to Navarre Beach with her beloved Dorroh cousins were precious and memorable.

Elizabeth briefly served as CEO of Seashore Utilities until the sale of her father’s company was finalized. She oversaw the sale of her beloved Woodlawn/Lester Place on Terry Road. Woodlawn was her family’s homestead since the mid 1800’s, from where her ancestors quickly fled when the Union army, arriving in Jackson, overtook the original Lester home to use as a hospital during the War Between the States. Woodlawn was the setting of her 1953 wedding reception, as well as many beloved family holidays and gatherings.

In her younger years, she enjoyed trips to Lake Junaluska, NC, family gatherings at her mother’s family home in Olive Branch, a European tour with her dearest cousin, chaperoned by Dr. Guy Gillespie, president of Belhaven College, and participation in the Methodist Youth Caravan.

A newly built home on East Manor Drive in 1967 became home to the Foster family for almost 40 years. In 2006, Elizabeth and Charles moved to Birmingham, Alabama to be near their three daughters and nine grandchildren. Happy days of family celebrations, ballgames, performances, lake trips and church life filled this chapter of their lives. She dearly loved her “girls”, her sons-in-law, her seven grandsons, two granddaughters, and three great granddaughters who brought her much joy.

Mrs. Foster is survived by her brother, Garner Wallace Lester (Pam) of Connecticut; daughters, Sylvia Foster Page (Frank), Edith Foster Lyon (David), and Amanda Foster Tindall (Craig); all of Birmingham; grandchildren, Elizabeth Brittany Page, Frank Cameron Page (Katelyn), Foster Ryan Page (Morgan), Garner Louis Lyon (Kindall), Charles Jackson Lyon, Frances Foster Lyon, Craig Barrentine Tindall (Morgan), Sawyer Wilkins Tindall, Mathis Markham Tindall; and great-granddaughters, Hazel Elizabeth Serota, Edith Lane Serota, and Isabel Grace Page, as well as dear relatives and friends who will think of her when they see red lilies or tulips, encyclopedias, library cards, owls, high heel shoes, china tea cups, and anything French.

Elizabeth leaves a legacy of deep Christian faith and a devoted love of family and friends. A graveside service will be held in Jackson, Mississippi with The Reverend Tom Sikes officiating. Memorials may be made to Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church, Mountain Brook, AL, or the Chi Omega Fraternity Foundation.

“Don’t let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief shining moment, that was known as Camelot”

L’amour toujours to our Grandmère.