Martha Folsom Foster

Martha Folsom Foster

Martha Folsom Foster, 106, a retired Guidance Counselor and Educator, died Friday June 12,2026 in Tallahassee, Florida at Westminster Oaks Memory Center.

She was born Martha Elizabeth Folsom on October 11,1919, in Greenwood, Florida to J.Y. Folsom and Lizzie Anderson Willis Folsom of Marianna.  Following graduation from Marianna High School, she attended Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee graduating with a B.S. degree in Commerce in 1941.  She received her M.S. in Counseling from Florida State University in 1967 and retired after 24 years of teaching in June of 1986, with her final 19 years at Rickards High School.

She was a Charter member of Eastside Baptist Church in Marianna, Florida before moving to Mississippi.

She was married to Robert H. Foster on July 1, 1951; they lived and worked in Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Mississippi and settled in Tallahassee in 1965. 

They attended First Baptist Church, and she was active in First Joy Senior Choir, the Women’s Missionary Union, Builders for Christ and Tres Dias.  She was recognized as a Golden Member of First Baptist Church in 2015.  She was a Charter member of Habitat for Humanity in Tallahassee and a member of ADK Tallahassee. She enjoyed reading and traveling. 

Martha is survived by her son, James R. Foster, her daughter Anne F. Hightower of Tallahassee; daughter-in-law Barbara K. Foster of Pompano Beach, Florida; grandchildren, John (Sandi) Hightower of Tallahassee; Alison (Tim) Milianta of Harvest, Alabama; Robert Alexander “Alex” Foster of Lakewood, Colorado; Richard P. Foster of Louisiana; John (Michelle) Mearman of Fort Lee, Virginia; nieces, Nancy E. Folsom of Tallahassee, Lesley Foster of Virginia Beach, Virginia; nine great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and a host of extended family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Robert H. Foster; her oldest son, Joe P. Foster; her parents, J.Y. (Annie) Folsom; and her brother J.Y.  “Jay” Folsom, Jr. 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: First Baptist Church of Tallahassee, 108 West College Avenue 32301: Big Bend Hospice 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. Tallahassee 32308: or a charity of your choice.

Special thanks to the staff of Westminster Memory Center Big Bend Hospice and Home Instead.  

A service will be held at 11 a.m. on June 26, 2026, at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Florida 32312.