Lonzell Foster

Our beloved matriarch Lonzell Foster was born September 25, 1927, in Postell, Arkansas to the late Silas Williams Sr. and Mattie (Jackson) Williams. She was the first born of thirteen. 

Lonzell married Earlie Albert Foster Jr. in 1948. They moved from Arkansas to Toledo, Ohio in 1950. There they had two children: Earl Duane and Crystal (deceased, 1963). They divorced after 20 years of marriage in 1968 and Lonzell and her son moved to Chicago, Illinois. After retiring she moved to East Chicago, Indiana to be closer to her beloved church family. 

Lonzell expressed her love for Christ at a very young age in Arkansas and later joined the International Miracle Crusade Church of God in Christ in East Chicago, Indiana in the early 1980’s. She remained a dedicated member until her passing, having served as Senior Church Mother for many years.

Mother Foster was a true example of the Proverbs 31 woman. She provided shelter and love for many and was always a deep reservoir of wisdom from above. There was a constant, remarkable peace in her home for she would have it no other way. “Her children rise up and call her blessed” (Prov 31:28a)

She worked for Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, Illinois where she retired after over 20 years. 

To cherish her memory, Lonzell leaves one son, Earl Duane Foster and his spouse (Deanna Reed-Foster) of Los Angeles, California.

Grandchildren: Margaret Ramirez, Tegan Foster, Acean Ramirez, Jasmin Jenkins, Khalisha Wallace (deceased), Khalid McGhee, Omar McGhee, Howard Childress and Sarayyah Childress. 

Great-grandchildren: Maximus Ramirez and Xavier McElwee.

Additionally, Lonzell leaves a sister Ruby Foster of East Chicago, Indiana and a brother Wellington Williams, Sr. of San Bernardino, California. 

Special: Pastor Veronica Williams (Sister-in-law), Keyna (Williams) Stowe (Niece), Sister Pauline Lee (Goddaughter), Brother Anthony Blaylock (Godson), and a host of nieces and nephews as well as numerous spiritual sons and daughters. 

She went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on January 8, 2023. Many family members welcomed Mother Foster into glory including her parents, Silas Williams Sr., and Mattie (Jackson) Williams, her daughter Crystal Foster, her brothers, Pastor Ray B. Williams, Clarence Williams, Oscar Williams, Silas Williams Jr., and Thurman Williams and her sisters, Rebecca (Williams) Pellum, Evelyn (Williams) Hall, Nadine (Williams) Banks, Morristein Williams, and Joette (Williams) Jarmon.

Mother Foster fought the good fight, she finished the race, she kept the faith. Let her life’s testimony be a witness and encouragement to all who loved her.

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