Billye Foster
Billye May Foster was born Sept. 24, 1935, in Peggs, Okla., to Bill and May Hodge. She moved to California with her family at an early age and attended school in Woodlake. It was there she met and married Max Foster. Together they raised three children: Rebecca Prentice, Bruce Foster and Greg Foster.
Mom worked hard all her life raising her children and held down a number of positions. One of her favorites, which she talked a lot about, was her position at the College of the Sequoias as director of career development. She mentored many students there, some of whom contacted her later in life, thanking her for investing herself into them. She truly loved her students.
Mom was always up for an adventure. While dad was working for the state department and stationed in South Vietnam during the war, mom insisted upon visiting him there. Over a number of objections she prevailed and spent several weeks there with dad. While there, the base where she was staying came under attack three separate times, one of them being serious enough that she had to grab a flak jacket and run for her life.
After dad passed away in 2000 mom continued traveling the word, visiting six of the seven continents. Mom made many friends throughout her travels and throughout her life. She was loved by all who knew her.
Mom was diagnosed with cancer in November of 2022 and passed away peacefully March 25, 2023. She was 87.
Prior to her passing, mom surrendered her life to Jesus Christ. We take great comfort in that.
Mom is survived by her three children, Rebecca (Brian) Prentice, Bruce (Sue) Foster and Greg (Amanda) Foster; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
We would like to acknowledge her full time caregiver, Janesa Ybarra, for her loving dedication to mom in her last days.
A celebration of life is pending.