J.W. Woodward Funeral Home | Spartanburg, SC

Obituary For Gail Foster

Gail Smith Foster, 78, entered eternal rest on Friday, October 20, 2023. She was born August 24, 1945 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She was the daughter of the late William Herbert and Claudia Frey Smith.

Gail was a graduate of Lincoln High School. She furthered her education at Claflin College in Orangeburg, South Carolina and Livingston College in Salisbury, North Carolina where she majored in Music.

Music was her life. She was known throughout South Carolina, North Carolina,Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Washington, D.C, and Alabama for playing the organ and piano. She also traveled to Puerto Rico, where she was the musician for Margaret Santiago and arranged the music. She furthermore arranged music for the former Miss Clarissa Lester who won Miss Black Spartanburg. With that same music, Clarissa went on to become Miss Black USA. Gail Foster is a name known by all churches throughout.Gail was a people person known for the ability to TALK. She never met a stranger and she loved to laugh.

She was very active in her community. She attended Mt. Moriah Baptist Church where she sang on the Mt. Moriah Workshop Choir and played the piano for the male chorus. Gail also was the musician for the Silver Hill United Methodist Church Male Chorus.

She was a member of the Red Hat Society: Sisters of Leisure, the Eastern Star at Fairforest Baptist Church and a musician for The J.W. Woodward Funeral Home.

Gail is survived by: her husband, James William Foster of the home; one daughter, Pamela Cummings (Anthony) of Loganville, GA; one grandson, Jayden Collins of Loganville, GA; one stepson, Daryl Porter (Rhonda) of Spartanburg, SC; three sisters, Rita Lester (Larry) of Jacksonville, Florida, June Pelzer (Samuel) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Nadine Ray (Larry) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; close childhood friend, Kay Woodward; dear friends, Hattie Long, Marilyn Porter and Carolyn Moore; her extended family,the Hawes; and a host of cousins and many other friends.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Calvin
Smith.

A Celebration of the Life of Gail Foster will be held on Sunday, October 29, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 445 S. Church St., Spartanburg, SC. Burial will be in the Lincoln Memorial Gardens, 2256 Cannons Campground Rd., Drayton, SC.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 28, 2023 from 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at The John Stinson Woodward Memorial Chapel, 602 Howard St., Spartanburg, SC. Musical Tributes will follow from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. in the chapel.

Guest Book

Omg...Heaven gained a beautiful angel. Gail was a beacon light to so many people..She was a wonderful friend, respectful, talented singer and a amazing piano player. She was my musician at my wedding many years ago. Thank you, sweet Gail for your unchanging, unwavering, loving, beautiful personality! You will definitely be missed and loved by many..My deepest condolences and prayers to her family and friends.🕊🕊🕊 RIHP..Gail❤️🥰

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Pam & Jay: I just learned of your loss today. You have my deepest sympathy. Gail was one of the first people I met when I moved to Spartanburg and we became good friends. She invited me to worship at Mt Moriah and it became my home church-very important to me and my family. I valued our friendship highly which made knowing of her declining health difficult. I take comfort knowing she's at peace, resting in our Savior's arms.

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Condolences to the family of Gail Foster.Connie Fields n Family

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Pam we are praying for you and your family during your time of bereavement. May God give you strength and Comfort. -Catessia,Arnee' and Titus, Sandy Springs Ga.

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Gone too soon ... our beloved Gail! Pop and familiy, though we are not there to share your grief, we do so from afar, please accept our sincerest condolences. Herb and Marlene Stewart Dayton, OH

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Pam and Mr. Pop, please know that you all are in my prayers. Ms. Gail was a sweet lady who always treated me like I was her own daughter. Ms. Gail, you will truly be missed. Your dedication and love for others is hard to match. Pam and Mr. Pop, may God give you peace and comfort during this difficult time. Gail was a good person, and she will be missed. Fran M. Adams

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Gone too soon ... our beloved Gail! Herb and Marlene Stewart Dayton, OH

- Herbert Stewart

Knowing Gail has been a blessing in my life. She was one of the kindness people I've ever known, and could play that piano with the anointing all in her fingers. She played for our church for many years and she had us singing like professionals. She will be terribly missed by all. Praying for God's comfort and healing to her family. Ernestine Canty

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Cousin Pam, Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us everyday. Unseen, unheard, but always near, still loved, still missed, and forever dear. May you Rest in Peace Aunt Gail -With love, Shanita & Family

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I remember asking for Gail to play music for my grandma Eddie WOODSON. And boy did you. You played at Bethany Baptist. I asked her to ha I asked you to have church the way that she would want it without the sad songs and you made it footstomping reach back and grab old country revival. That's what Miss Eddie WOODSON New. And I thank you Gale. Not only did she escort my grandmother out of the church with music. She returned back to my mom's house and shared a meal with us and we're grateful about her and her work that she did. God bless her journey to the other side.

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My sincere condolences to Gail's family. She was a great pianist and she filled in for me from time to time when I needed her. She was faithful and I always knew I could count on her.

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Such a beautiful person,I remember when she was the secretary at Holden Chapel School in 1965, rest in peace Gail, praying for the family

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Our condolences to the Foster Family 🌹The Harris Family

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My deepest condolences to the family. Gail and I were coworkers at the City of Spartanburg and the environment was never the same after she retired. May you find comfort in God during this difficult time. Sidney & Teresa Ferguson

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May God be with you and your family during this difficult time.

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"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning". To Gail's family:The heavenly choir gained another pianist/organist when God called Gail to her heavenly home. Many people were blessed because she shared her musical gifts with us. I had the privilege of working with her at the funeral home. Continue to trust God because He will strengthen and sustain you during this season of your life. Gail will be remembered. Saundra Giles Gaffney

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Gail,was such a loveable and true friend.praying for the Foster family. Shirley Tanner & family.

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Pop and Pam, I was saddened to hear of Gail's passing. I always loved hearing her play the piano. She may not play "live" now, but the music she has instilled in those who love her will resonate with you forever. Much love Cousins, Olivia (Nan) Bobo Jackie (Pedie) Lyles Kersey

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Sending our condolences to the family. Gail has shared her gifts with so many in the surrounding areas, she will certainly be missed. May God sustain you all during this time of loss.

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Mrs. Gail was a beautiful person, inside and out. She will be missed. Condolences to the family Pastor Eddie and Marilyn Parks

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My deepest condolences to the Foster family🌹❤️🙏 Gail and I worked several years together at City of Spartanburg. Evangelist Ella Williams

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Expressing Our Condolences. The Underwood Family

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Rest High in Glory Friend!isee you playing piano and singing around God's Throne

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Our staff will continue to keep your family in our prayers. We thank you for allowing us to serve your family.

- J.W. Woodward Funeral Home | Spartanburg, SC