Pearl Foster Graves
from Ruth Walsh
OBITUARY: The Bakersfield Californian, Friday, March 16, 2001
PEARL FOSTER GRAVES 1/18/1913 - 3/14/2001
Graveside ceremonies will be held Saturday, 10 a.m., March 17, 2001, at
Hillcrest Memorial Park's Sunrise Section for Pearl Foster Graves. Pearl
was born January 18, 1913, in Temple, Oklahoma to Middleton B. and Mary
Harper. She has lived in Bakersfield for several years and had worked for
Kern General Hospital for over 20 years.
Pearl is survived by her children, Don Foster and his wife, Jo, Geraldine
Littlejohn, Jo Foster Thomas and her husband Roy Johnson of Bakersfield, CA,
Jimmie Foster and his wife Diane of Lake Isabella, June Foster DeMaria of
Granada Hills, CA; two sisters; 16 grandchildren and numerous
great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
Pearl was preceded in death by her husbands, Marvin Foster and George
Graves.
In lieu of flowers, donation can be made to Hoffman Hospice, 833-3900 or
the American Cancer Society 327-2424. Bakersfield Family Funeral Directors.
(Pearl Edna Harper Foster Graves was the daughter of Middleton "Milt"
Blackwood Harper and Mary Etta Feagans. She was the granddaughter of Daniel
Feagans and Mary Ann Blanton and the great-granddaughter of Fannin County,
TX pioneers Stephen Fletcher Blanton and Sarah McDaniel and of Grayson
County, TX pioneers Jackson Feagans and Annie Liles, aka Annie Lyles.)
TOMBSTONE INSCRIPTION: epitaph reads, "Pearl E. Graves, January 18, 1913 -
March 14, 2001, Our beautiful, beautiful Mother, Grandmother, and
Great-Grandmother
EULOGY (printed with permission of the family):
On behalf of the family I would like to thank you for coming out on a
beautiful day such as this.
For those of you who might not know me, I am Kent Thomas, Grandma's 1st
great grandson, my father was James Thomas and mother Vickie Gilmer. I was
so pleased to be asked by our family to conduct Grandma's memorial services
today.
Pearl Edna was born on January 18, 1913, in Temple, Oklahoma to her proud
parents, Middleton and Mary Harper. She grew and went to school in this
little town. In 1928, she met and fell in love with Marvin Foster. At the
ripe ol' age of 15 she married this beau of hers.
And just one year later, 1929, they would welcome the first of their
children, Geraldine, who by the way is my grandmother. These were not easy
times for the Fosters, the depression was taking its toll on the nation, and
the children kept on coming. One every other year to be exact. Jimmy was
born in 1932, in 1934 came Donald or "Donny" as the family calls him, then
June was born in 1936, and the last of the Foster clan was Joquetta in 1938.
It has been said that the first of the 4 children were just practice, so
that the 5th would be the perfect one, bet you couldn't guess who made that
statement...Aunt Jo.
That same year Grandpa Marvin got a hankering to come to the Golden State
of California, so he hopped on a train and off he went. He made
preparations so his family could soon join him. It wasn't long after when
Grandma followed with their 5 children to start a better life.
They first settled in Orange County, lived there for 6 years and in 1944
moved to the wonderful town of Bakersfield. Life went on as usual for many
years, however, in 1960 Grandma and Grandpa parted ways, and Grandma started
anew. Grandpa Marvin preceded Grandma in death in 1963.
Just a short time go Grandma purchased one of her favorite CD's. The
Elvis Presley gospel Treasury and after one of Grandma's favorite songs I'll
tell you the "Rest of the story".
Song: In the Garden #2
In 1960 Grandma met and soon fell in love with the second love of her
lie, George Graves. They were wed that same year. Grandpa Graves had 3
children from a previous marriage. His daughters, Rita, Lola, and Larry.
Larry Graves continually kept in touch with Grandma, and was especially kind
to her in her latter years.
Grandma and Grandpa Graves didn't stay long in any one place. They moved
from Bakersfield to Arkansas, to Kansas, to Florida, and then she was back
in Oklahoma.
However, the moves stopped, and Grandma came back to Bakersfield in 1991,
after the death of Grandpa in 1990. She moved into a small house down off
Roberts Lane, which just happened to be very close to where one of her
grandchildren, Kim Thomas, worked at the local McDonald's. Kim would ride
her bike to and from work, parking her bike at Grandma's house, then walking
over to work. She said It was to prevent her bike from being stolen, but I
think it's just because she wanted to see Grandma every day.
Grandma stayed in pretty good health, until she had some problems in
"April of 2000. Upon going to Kern Medical Center, which by the way is
where she worked for many of the years while she was in Bakersfield,
although back then it was called Kern General. She was diagnosed with bone
cancer. Just a year before, 1999, Grandma moved in with her daughter
Geraldine. After the diagnosis of cancer and a bad fall in the kitchen she
took residence at the Parkview Convalescent Hospital.
This didn't keep Grandma down. She went to the Rasmusen Center 5 days a
week, Trout's for senior's night on Monday, and the Moose Lodge on Sunday.
It's been said that she danced 7 days a week. Guess there is some truth to
the you're only as old as you think you are.
We would like to say thank you to the Rasmusen Center, Trout's and the
Loyal Order of the Moose. For their friendship and kindness to Grandma. A
special thanks goes to some of the great people at Parkview...Nurse Sandy,
went above and beyond to care for Grandma. Betty Johnson was a special
roommate of Grandma's. But, Virginia was perhaps the most special of all.
She was Grandma's current roommate and possibly her closest friend. They
would care for each other and watch out for one another. The night before
she passed, Virginia moved to another room to let the family spend the last
hour with Grandma. Upon Virginia's departing she told us where she would be
in case Grandma needed her. Thank you Virginia for your special friendship
to Grandma.
Aunt Jo, or Joquetta, Grandma always used her children's proper names
when referring to them, and not just when they were in trouble. Which I
know none of them ever got in trouble, at least that's what they say, Betcha
Grandma would tell you stories about the messes her children got into. But
anyway, Aunt Joquetta was looking forward to being able to take a 5
generation picture upon her granddaughter Tiffany's next visit with
Grandma's great-great grandchild.
What a legacy this fine little lady has left....She is now in Heaven with
her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. While in Oklahoma she was a member of a
local Baptist church. She had accepted Christ to be Lord of her life, and
because of this she is walking streets of gold and has been reunited with
her loved-ones that have passed, Marvin, George, and my father & mother all
of who were waiting for her arrival at heaven's gate.
From the Bible there is a story where a terrible storm is calmed by the
spoken words of Jesus (read Mark 4:35-41)
There are times in our life that we seem to be going through a storm. A
death of a loved one can sometimes overwhelm us with waves of grief and
depression. But just as the Heavenly Father, Jesus calmed the physical
storm at sea, he can and will help you through times of trouble if you just
ask Him to. Jesus says in the book of Hebrews, Chapter 13, verse 5, "I will
never leave you or forsake you." He will be with you in times of trials if
you will only call UPON HIM TO BE Lord OF YOUR LIFE.
Grandma is survived by: her children, Don Foster & wife Jo, Geraldine, Jo
Foster-Thomas & husband Roy, Jimmy Foster & wife Diane, June Foster-DeMaria,
Larry Graves & wife Chris; two sisters, 16 grandchildren (which all loved
Grandma very much, but there are two that always spent a little extra time
with Grandma, Kim & Margaret never let a week or holiday go by without
talking to, seeing, driving up from LA whenever they had time, or sending a
gift or card to Grandma) and numerous great grandchildren.
At this time I would like to open the floor up to anyone that has a
special story or memory that they would like to share about Grandma.
(Tell Christmas sock & gloves story)
Thank you for sharing your special memories of Grandma.
Now I'd like to share another one of Grandma's favorite gospel songs...
(song: Amazing Grace #1)
Let us Pray.
Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for this day that you have granted us,
a day to remember a very special lady. I am so glad that you sent your son,
Jesus to die for each one of us so that one day we will see Grandma again.
Thank you God that you are the healer of wounds both physical and emotional,
and for healing Grandma with a heavenly body that will not wear out, be
hurting or have any sorrow. I would ask you to comfort the friends and
family at the loss of their loved one. Many times we do not understand why
things happen to us or people we love, just wrap us in your caring arms and
guide us through this time of sorrow. We are grateful for the times that
we were able to share with Grandma. Again, comfort us in our sorrows.
Thank you for all the mercies that You grant us day to day, all of which we
do not deserve.
In Your Holy Name. Amen.
Again, on behalf of the entire family, we would like to thank you for
coming and God be with you and Bless you in days to come!
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