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Sophia Esther Johnson Foster, 92, of 202 Fourth Street, Martinsville, returned to her Creator on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at Franklin Health & Rehab Center in Rocky Mount, VA.

Sophia Johnson entered into this life on September 18, 1918 to Robert and Maggie Lemus Johnson in Richmond, VA, the eldest of four siblings.  Sophia accepted Christ and was baptized at Mosby Memorial Baptist Church in Richmond, VA.  She was educated in Richmond and later united in marraige to William Stafford Foster of Martinsville, where Sophia later relocated.  To this union of 70 years were born three children.

Mrs. Foster later became a member of Fayette Street Christian Church (DOC) in 1939.  There she sang in the choir, served as a deacon, president of the Christian Women's Fellowship, Chairperson of the Official Board and taught Sunday School.  In November of 1962, she joined St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Martinsville.  Later she became a membr of Jerusalem Christian Church (DOC) in 1985.  Again she served as deacon and taught noon day Bible Study.  After the retirement of Pastor Eugene Reynolds, Sophia joined Star of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church in Bassett where her grandson served as Pastor.  Finally, she finished her course with St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Martinsville.

Sophia was educated in the public schools of Richmond and graduated from Armstrong High School and Virginia Union University.  She was a school teacher by trade, having begun her instruction at the same school ; she was instructed in with her childhood training at Navy Hill Elementary School in Richmond.  In 1978, she retired from the Martinsville City Schools.

With the retirement, she mused herself artistically in writing and painting.  Since her early years and home influence, she has dabbled in sewing clothes for her children, writing poems and exercising her creativity.  In June 2001, an Art Exhibition and Reception was held at the Gallery in Martinsville displaying Sophia's many works which was sponsored by the family.

Civically, Mrs. Foster was involved financially and physically with numerous organizations over 70 plus years, including (but not limited to) Public Broadcasting System, Piedmont Arts Association, Modernistic Bridge Club, Martinsville; National Council of Negro Women, Inc., Virginia Retired Teachers Association, National Education, Virginia Education Association and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., (Kappa Delta Omega Chapter).

Before her passing, she was celebrated and recognized in the Martinsville Bulletin on July 25, 2010 for her membership longevity of 75 years with her college sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha (Alpha Eta Chapter).  Sophia became a member in her third year at Union after her sixth grade teacher, the late Lilian Frazier (an AKA member) encouraged her.  Sophia became a life member in June 1988.

In 1974, she joined other AKA sorority sisters to form a Martinsville Chapter, Kappa Delta Omega.  Her love of poetry won her a unique place in the sorority.  She wrote poems to commemorate AKA's special events, such as the Dubutante Ball and Founder's Day, and for several of its members.  She also held several offices, such as dean of pledges, chaplain and historian.

In 2009, she was honored by the sorority she helped organize at Forest Park County Club for her Diamond Recognition as Soror.  She was quoted on the Accent page in July 2010's Martinsville Bulletin, "I enjoyed the one in December, but this one gave me a thrill," she said.  "I had never had anybody make this kind of to-do over me.  It was like having my funeral with me sitting there," and she laughed.

Sophia was preceded in death by her parents; her siblings (Marye Johnson Anderson, Rienzi Lemus Johnson, and Robinette Johnson Moore) and her beloved husband, "Bill".

She is survived by, one son, George H. (Inworn) Foster, of Martinsville, VA; and two daughters, Peggy Foster (Henry) Winfield of Norfolk, VA and Dr. Wilhelmina Foster of Martinsville, VA; 13 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.

A funeral mass will be held Wednesday, December 22, 2010 at 12:10 PM at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Martinsville, VA with Father Joseph T. Torretto, officiating.  Burial will follow in Carver Memorial Gardens in Martinsville, VA.

Arrangements entrusted to the care of Hines Funeral Services, Inc.