James E. Foster, Sr.

James Ethll Foster, Sr. was born on October 7, 1930 on the eastside of Detroit. He was the youngest of nine children born to the union of the late Reverend G. Grant Foster and Marie (Early) Foster. James accepted Christ at a young age and was a member of the Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church for nearly 75 years.

James and Elizabeth, whom he affectionately called “Liz”, married on May 31, 1953. They celebrated their 65th Wedding Anniversary this year. To this union were born six children: Sharon, James Jr. (Jimmy), Jeffrey, Jenise, Cynthia, and Julian. James and Liz were devoted to each other. Liz took excellent care of him as his health began to fail over the years and until his passing.

James graduated from Cass Technical High School in 1948. He earned a B.A. from Wayne State University in Industrial Arts in 1953. James completed graduate studies at the University of Michigan in Guidance and Counseling then earned a Master of Education degree from Wayne State University. James was initiated into Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. on December 1951 at the Alpha Beta Chapter at Wayne State University and is a lifetime member.

James started his career as a Detroit Public School educator as an Industrial Teacher at McMichael Jr. High School in 1953. In the fall of 1970, he was promoted to Principal of Knudsen Junior High School where he worked to start DAPCEP (Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program). He retired from Detroit Public Schools in 1993.

James loved his family and attended all special occasions such as birthdays, weddings and graduations both here and out of state. James was very proud and supportive of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild. He dedicated his life serving the community, his family and friends. James Ethll Foster, Sr. left this life and went on to be with the Lord on December 12, 2018.

James leaves to cherish his memory, celebrate his life and continue his legacy: his wife: Elizabeth Louise Walker Foster; children: Sharon Jett, James Ethll Foster, Jr (Maria), Jeffrey Grant Foster (Sandra), Jenise Gwynn Jones, Cynthia Foster Schkoor, and Julian Charles Foster (LaTisha); Grandchildren: Omari Jett, Tianna Jones, Marcus Jones (Andrea), Akisha Osei Sarfo (Benjamin), Aisha Jobe (Omar), Tamika Jones, Helen Foster, Charles Foster, Malik Schkoor, Phoebe Foster, Jeffrey Grant Foster II, Lindsey Foster, and Garret Ewing Foster.
Great-grandchild: Mariama Jobe, with James Ray Sarfo on the way
and special niece Joanne McMurry, a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by grandson Dawud Schkoor and by siblings: Jessie, Hattie, Rosella, Grant Jr. Jean, Helen, Lovetta, John C.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to:
“Tabernacle Scholarship Fund”
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church
2080 W Grand Blvd