Pamela Ann Prather Foster, 70, of Childress, Texas, passed away Sept. 25, 2023, after an extended battle with Superficial Siderosis. A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.
Foster stated many times that she had lived a truly blessed life, giving full credit to her Lord and Savior for His love and mercy, also to the love and care of family and friends. Special thanks to the staff of the Childress Healthcare Center and Childress Regional Medical Center Hospice for their continuous care and love.
Foster was born in January of 1953, to G.B. and Agnes Harrington Prather, in Nocona, Texas.
She was a 1971 graduate of Nocona High School, where she excelled in music. She attended Kilgore College on a music scholarship. With a change of heart and coursework, she graduated from Tarleton State University with a degree in Home Economics in December of 1975.In 1981, she received her teacher’s degree and Master of Arts in Home Economics from Sam Huston State University. She taught one year in Mexia,Texas and served as a 4-H leader. Her love for the 4-H program and its impact on youth caused her to leave teaching and become a County Extension Agent.
In 1993, she married the long-awaited love of her life, Lyall P. Foster. Over the years, she could be heard saying, “God saved him for me.” It took lots of patience to be the spouse of a county agent.
Foster served as a County Extension Agent to seven counties in her 30-year Extension career, including four at one time. In 2000, she was appointed to District Extension Director for Home Economics for the Rolling Plains District, overseeing Home Economics and 4-H in 21 counties.In 2002,she was promoted to the position of Regional 4-H Program Director of the North Region of Texas. They provided leadership and subject matter training for the 4-H program in 62 counties in the Panhandle, High Plains and the Rolling Plains of Texas. In 2006, due to failing health, she returned to her beloved Childress County as County Extension Agent.
Foster was the recipient of numerous honors and awards over her career but none she was prouder of than having five 4-Hers follow her in Extension careers. All have distinguished to positions of leadership and recognition. Anytime Foster received an award, she was quick to credit her stellar agents, 4-Hers, volunteers and community sponsors. “I truly had the best.”
For several years, as health permit, she was active in the First United Methodist Church choir, Sunday schools and United Methodist Women activities. She was also active in the Walk to Emmaus and the Childress Theater Group. For a time, she was a member of Texas Extension Association. She also loved reading, cooking, gardening and antiquing.
She is preceded in death by her parents; her brother, James Samuel Prather; her motherin- law, LoAnn Foster Gee; and her “other mother,” Alta Beth Garrison.
She is survived by her precious husband, Lyall; sister- in-law Jane Prather; a brother, Stephen and wife Laura; two aunts, Pearl Dennis and Dorothy Weaver; nieces Amy Schiller and husband David, Chelsea Foster, Danielle Finch and husband Paul, and Tiffany Kelly and husband Michael; nephews Keaton Foster and wife Elissa, Weston Foster and wife Sandi, and Nick Phillips and wife Lindsey; her Oklahoma family; and brothers-inlaw Greg Winters and wife Meme, Glen Winters and wife Linda, and Gary Winters and wife Ann. There are numerous great- and greatgreat- nieces and nephews.
Memorial donations may be made to Childress County 4-H.
