Maxine Foster

Mrs. Maxine S. Foster, born in Franklinton, LA, October 10, 1909, passed away, Friday, January 9, 2009, in Biloxi. She had been a resident of Biloxi for 70 years. Mrs. Foster came to Biloxi in 1940 with her husband and young children to work for Singer Sewing Machine Company. She had a seamstress shop on Howard Avenue sewing on stripes and bars, etc. for servicemen in WW II. She went on to own and operate Central Cleaners in Biloxi for many years. After selling the cleaners she was employed at Keesler Air Force Base where she worked for over 25 years. She was a volunteer for the Red Cross blood drives and a mission on Division Street. Earlier in her years she was an avid golfer and bowler. More recently she was a walker at the Edgewater Mall. For many years she was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Biloxi. Mrs. Foster will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She was preceded in death by her son, Howard Stephen Foster; granddaughter, Angela Anderson; son-in-law, Edmund Janus; four sisters, Maude Bickham, Rubye Brumfield, Donna Spieghts, and Ruth Flowers; and five brothers, Fleet, Miah, Hulon, Gordon and Woodrow Smith. She is survived by two daughters, Susan Tarwater of Seattle, WA, and Donna Ruth Janus of Biloxi; a granddaughter, Cynthia Janus (Dr. Mannie) Hall of Hattiesburg, MS; grandson, Dr. J. Mark (Dianna) Janus of Starkville, MS; Seven great grandchildren, Anne Bailey Hall, Mark Brennan Hall, John Cameron Hall, Mary Delaney Hall, Anthony Michael Bryant Janus, Alyna-Marie Danielle Janus, and Andrew Kolten Janus; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Thursday, January 15, 2009, at Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi where friends may visit one hour before service time. Interment will follow at 2 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Franklinton, LA.