Sara was born in Pontotoc, MS on October 4, 1933 to the late Robert W. (Buck) & Marie Gilmer. She graduated from Pontotoc High School and attended Itawamba Community College and Mississippi State University. While at Itawamba she met her husband, Bill, and in 1952 they married and moved to Starkville, MS.
During her lifetime in Starkville she spent many years as a staff member in the Division of Student Affairs at Mississippi State University. She was a member of Phi Mu sorority and later served as a Rush Advisor. She supported her husband in his many duties while in Student Affairs, one being, the Miss Mississippi State University Pageant. She loved being a second Mom to “her girls”, making evening gowns, assisting w/ interview preparations and helping prepare each young lady for the Miss Mississippi Pageant. She prepared many young ladies that went on to win state titles and 1 to win Miss America 1980. She made the competition gown and “red shoes” for Cheryl Prewitt Salem, Miss America 1980. She remained close to numerous young ladies that became her second daughters, such as Sherye Simmons Green, Miss Mississippi 1979, Cheryl Prewitt Salem, Miss America 1980, and Diane Bounds, Miss Mississippi 1974 and numerous others. Sara also held the position of Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the State Miss Hospitality Pageant and was a two term President of the Starkville Junior Auxiliary and now a life member, and she was the President of the Mississippi State University Women’s Club. After leaving Miss State, Sara became a stay at home Mom to her daughter, Kathy. In 1973 she went back to work as a staff member of Starkville Public Schools and retired in 1991 as Assistant to the Superintendent of the system.
First Baptist Church of Starkville was her worshiping home for 65 years. She served on various committees, teaching children’s training union and was a member of the Joy Sunday School class. Sara never wavered from her Christian faith and truly modeled a life of love, faithfulness and dedicated service.
Sara’s life demonstrated a love of family, husband Bill and daughter Kathy, as well as a love for sewing and cooking and all the students she encountered. She was an accomplished seamstress, making most of Kathy’s clothing as well as pageant evening gowns and drapery. She loved her daughter, Kathy, more than anything!
Sara is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Bill R. Foster and her brother, Robert W. Gilmer of Tallahassee, FL. She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Ashley (Earl) of Lake Village, AR, Nephews; Joe Foster of Thomasville, AL, Jerry Foster (Fara) of Stuttgart, AR, David Gilmer (Brooke) of Killen, AL and Steve Gilmer (Karen) of Winter Park, FL
Visitation will be held Monday, July 29, 2024 from 10:00-11:00 at First Baptist Church in Starkville, MS, with the funeral service immediately following. Burial will follow at Memorial Garden Park Cemetery in Starkville. Reverend Clifton Curtis will conduct the service.
The family requests that any memorials be made to the Bill & Sara Foster Endowed Scholarship Fund, C/O the MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6194, Mississippi State, MS 39762 Or to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 106 E. Lampkin St., Starkville, MS 39759.
