Mrs. Jacquline Barksdale Foster

Jacqueline (Jackie, Mom, Nana, Ms. Foster) Barksdale Foster was born in Pleasantville, New Jersey on August 14, 1936 to Clara "Sis" Seawright and John Thomas Barksdale. She grew up in Newport News, Virginia. An only child, she grew up among extended family in Newport News, Virginia, often spending Mme with her father in Philadelphia, PA.

Jackie met her first husband Harold Davis in Newport News, VA and together they moved to Toledo, OH. To that union she had Jacqueline Theresa Barksdale, Sharon (Davis) Muldrow, and Gwyndell (Davis) Clemons. She later married Robert L Foster and came to Evanston with her family and children in 1959. To this union she had Kimberly (Foster) Atum, Robert and Ronald Foster (twins), Kerry (Perky) Foster, Tina Foster, and Bernie Foster

She became a member of Second Baptist Church in the early 1970s under the pastorate of the late Reverend Dr. Hycel B. Taylor and was a lifelong member, participating in many activities of the church, most recently, the senior choir. She obtained her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Early Childhood Education from National Louis University while raising nine children.

Jackie's long career which started in the early 1960s included teaching children and serving families at: Head Start in Evanston, the Child Care Center of Evanston, Daycare Action Council, Baby Toddler (Family Focus), Salvation Army, Evanston School Disfrict 65, and Bright Horizons at Evanston Hospital, to name a few. She retired at the age of 82.

Jackie was always active in her community, and her house was the gathering place. She seemed to always have room for one more person, making her house a home and a place of comfort for many, many people over the years. She had 25+ "adopted" kids.

As an activist, she was engaged in the Civil Rights movement, working for Fair Housing opportunities, and advocating for Early Childhood Education and childcare. She also actively worked for the integration of the Evanston Schools as well as with the City of Chicago and the Salvation Army to mentor young women. She loved to travel and discover new things. She loved all of the arts, participated in choirs, reading plays, and she was a lifelong learner, treasuring her books.

Jackie was preceded in death by three of her children, Theresa Barksdale, Kerry (Perky) Foster, and Ronald (Ronny) Foster. She leaves behind to cherish her memories, six children; Sharon Muldrow, Gwyneth Clemons, Kimberly M. Atum, Robert (Bobby) L. Foster, Tina E. Foster, and, Bernard W. Foster (Tamara); her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and greatgreat-grandchildren, many cousins and a host of friends and loved ones. Please keep the family in your prayers.

Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Funeral & Cremation Services, Inc. Mr. Philip L. Gillette~Funeral Director

Face mask are required on all services.

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