Della Mae Foster

Funeral services for Della Mae Foster, 100, Bakersfield, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 26, 2024, at Bakersfield Full Gospel Church, under the direction of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.    

Mrs. Foster passed away Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at her home. 

She was born June 15, 1924, at Vidette, Arkansas, to Charley Bales and Pearl Branch Bales.  Della attended school at Pickren Hall.  On December 24, 1940, she was married at Vidette, Arkansas, to Lloyd Vernon Foster, who preceded her in death on August 31, 2009.  Della Mae was a hardworking lady with many talents, and she fiercely loved her family.  She worked alongside her husband farming and providing for the family.  In 1963 she and Vernon along with their son and son-in-law opened Foster & Webb Feed Store in Bakersfield, Missouri, where she worked until 1978.  In 1990, Vernon had a debilitating stroke, and she faithfully cared for him until he passed away in 2009.  She was a gardener, homemaker, seamstress, baker, and fantastic cook.  She kept her family spoiled by making the best chocolate gravy, chocolate rolls, fried potatoes, and pies.  She was always happy when her family was gathered in her home.  She diligently kept in touch with her family who lived far away.  Della was a devoted Christian who walked to church with her children when they were little and made sure they knew Jesus Christ.   Mrs. Foster was a faithful member of Bakersfield Full Gospel Church.

She is survived by two children, Pansy Webb and husband, Jerry, Bakersfield, Missouri and Ken Foster and wife Jo Ann, Caulfield, Missouri; five grandchildren, Charlotte Walker and husband, Mark, Bakersfield, Missouri, Kenneth Don Foster and wife, Becky, Caulfield, Missouri, Lisa Lester and husband, David, Bakersfield, Missouri, Doug Foster, Bakersfield, Missouri and Ron Foster and wife, Shasta, Bakersfield, Missouri; thirteen great-grandchildren; nine great-great-grandchildren; two half-brothers, Dewayne Bales and wife, Debbie and Jerry Pat Bales, both of Bakersfield, Missouri;  several nieces and nephews; and special caregivers, Rose Murphy and Shawn Kimbrough. 

Her parents, husband, two sisters, Lillian Evans and Clara Collins, two brothers, Roscoe Bales and Joe Bill Bales, one half-sister, Betty Bales and one granddaughter-in-law, Sandra Foster, preceded her in death.  

Visitation services will be held from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., Saturday, at Bakersfield Full Gospel Church.  Mrs. Foster will lie in state from 5:00 until 9:00 p.m., Friday, at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in Fore Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Fore Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 West Main, West Plains, MO  65775.   

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff of Hospice Compassus for their loving care and support.