Jane Clayton Foster

Jane was born in Lewisburg, Tennessee on June 29, 1940. She graduated from Marshall County High School in 1958 and enrolled at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Jane married Larry Watson Foster, also of Lewisburg and a student at UT, in June 1960. Jane suspended her studies to support her husband’s pursuit of an engineering degree, working as an administrative assistant in Oak Ridge. She continued that role in Huntsville, Alabama after Larry accepted employment in the space program.

After the couple moved back to Middle Tennessee in the late 1960s, Jane focused her energies on raising their two boys – Jeff and Chris – on the family’s farm. She was a “boy mom” before that term existed and loved playing with her sons and doing outdoor activities, such as fishing and hiking, with them.

Once her sons no longer needed full-time care, Jane began volunteering as a reading aide in the Franklin Special School District and obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Middle Tennessee State University.

Thereafter, Jane taught fourth grade at Johnson Elementary School for almost 30 years. She went above and beyond as an elementary school teacher – putting on extravagant theatrical productions with her students, volunteering for enrichment/after-school programs, and providing countless extracurricular services to students and their families.

Jane was extremely passionate about teaching and loved her students very much. That love was mutual – it was almost impossible to go out with her in public without encountering her students, who would inevitably rush up to her with hugs and excited cries of “Ms. Foster, Ms. Foster!” Teaching was her passion and existed at the very core of her identity.

Jane is survived by her sons Jeff Foster and Chris Foster, daughter-in-law Kerri Foster, grandchildren Micah Feinberg, Jonah Foster, Maggie Foster, and Cole Foster, and numerous other family members.