Norma Dean Foster

Norma Dean Foster left this earth for her heavenly home on August 3, 2022 in Georgetown, Texas at the age of 99.  She was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, to William McDowell and Lola Donaldson McDowell on December 17, 1922 the second of four children. Dean, as she was called, had an older sister, Ila Irene Fox, younger sister, Wanda Myrtle Cowlishaw, along with one brother, William Thomas ‘Bud’ McDowell, who all preceded her in death along with her parents.

Dean grew up in Bartlesville, graduating from College High where she met George W. Foster when they were 16, fell in love and married in 1940. She was devoted to him for the remainder of her life. The following year they had twin sons Wm Samuel and George Thomas.  They moved to San Diego, California, where George served in the Navy in the shipyards during WWII. After the war, they moved back to Bartlesville where George was employed by the Phillips Petroleum Corp. who then moved them frequently around Texas and Oklahoma. Dean kept the household running and made each location a home for the boys and George. After the boys had graduated from college, Dean and George took overseas assignments in Spain, Italy, Brazil, UK, Norway, and Scotland with some stateside assignments in Wyoming, Utah, Houston, and New Orleans sprinkled in there. Dean worked at an employment service during her time in Houston.

In 1985 George retired and they moved to Clifton, Texas. Although Dean was afraid of the water, she enjoyed fishing and boating at their lake house on Lake Whitney.  Dean still enjoyed traveling so they made trips throughout the U.S. with her sister and brother-in-law, Ila and Dewayne Fox who lived next door to them in Clifton. She also enjoyed raising roses, playing cards (and only bid with a sure hand), attending local civic socials and was a member of First Methodist Church in Clifton and later Zion United Church in Womack. She will be remembered for her contributions of homemade pies for the funeral services and church socials.

Her son Tom died in 1979. George preceded her in death in 2016 after 75 years of marriage. Dean is survived by her son Samuel Foster and wife Bettye of Conroe, Tx, daughter-in-law Dixie Frank of Tulsa, Okla., grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

The family is having a private memorial service. Please make any memorials to Zion United Church.

Proverbs 31:10  “An excellent wife who can find?  She is far more precious than jewels.”  31:15 “She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household.”  31:28 “Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her”