Janis Anderson Foster
July 28, 1932 – December 3, 2023
Janis, aka Mom, Momma, and Mamaw, was born July 28, 1932, in the small town of Jonesboro, Arkansas. She was an outgoing, dance-loving majorette and friend to just about everyone she met. After graduating from high school, she met the love of her life, John, in college when he kicked a basketball across the court and hit her on the head with it. After a short six-week courtship, they married, he joined the army and off they went on a journey that would see them travel the world. Although she had never ventured far from home, she embraced the life of military wife and mother of what would become three with devotion and determination. Their life took them to addresses in eight states and two countries, but their adventures carried them to destinations throughout the USA from Florida to Alaska and a dozen countries around the world from Europe to Asia and all over the Caribbean where stories are still shared by local villagers.
Retirement from the military meant they could finally settle in one place and transition beautifully into the life they were truly meant to lead. Grandparenting! Life was grand until 1995 when Pobby left us way too soon. Their 41 years together were filled with travel, good friends, a few bumps, occasional mutual vexing and a lot of love. We can now imagine that they are happily together again, at least mostly happy if Daddy can get a word in edgewise.
Most of us here today knew her as Momma and Mamaw and we remember an amazing woman who lover her family fiercely. She was kindness wrapped around steel strength and a friend to anyone she met. She left her home, married and moved 14 times in 20 years but always made wherever she was a happy, safe, secure home for her family. She raised us with rules and expectations: do well in school, treat people as you want to be treated, finish what you start and always give it your best effort. Above all though, never use improper grammar, misspell a word or use poor table manners! Truly above all, she always encouraged, supported and loved unconditionally.
She, in return, was a deeply loved mother and grandmother, a good friend in our adulthoods and was always ready for a fun trip. She was always there to provide advice or a shoulder to lean on. Our memories of annual Florida trips with wall-to-wall sleeping bags on the floor, jet skis and beach football and our OVER-THE-TOP Christmases at Mamaw’s with ever increasing grandkids that she got to spoil will remain a part of us forever. They serve as a reminder of her profound influence on our lives. Her legacy lies in all the ways she made us better people, the love we share and the hope that her influence will continue through to the next generation of great-grandchildren.
For all you have done for us, we are most grateful.
You are loved and will be missed but always held in our hearts and memories.
Visitation will be from 1:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2023, at Laughlin Service Funeral Home, followed by the memorial service with Chaplain Anthony Ford officiating.
