Margaret Earlene Drake Foster

Our beloved Margaret Earlene Drake Foster transitioned peacefully on October 10, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family, who will forever keep Margaret in their hearts and cherish her deep love for them.

Margaret was born Earlene Drake on August 23, 1934, in Nashville Tennessee, to the Late Harry Drake Sr. and Annie Sue Drake. She was the fifth of seven children with whom Harry and Annie Sue were blessed to bring into this world. Since birth, Margaret was a long-time member of St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, and her Catholic faith guided her caring and loving actions and deeds.

Margaret attended Immaculate Mother Academy where she graduated from high school. After graduating from Immaculate Mother Academy, she attended Tennessee State University before relocating to Washington, D.C. She went on to receive her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from District of Columbia (D.C.) Teachers College in Washington, D.C., followed by completing her master’s degree plus forty hours above in Psychology from Tennessee State University.

Professionally, Margaret enjoyed a long successful career, which started with teaching elementary school in Washington, D.C. She returned to Nashville in 1972, and she worked as a teacher and a guidance counselor, for a number of years, in the Nashville Metropolitan School System. Margaret later became a mental health counselor in the Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center at Meharry Medical College. Her greatest joy was educating, guiding, and helping children grow and develop successfully. She was generous, compassionate, and dedicated to helping the most vulnerable.

Margaret was an avid reader and patron of the arts. She loved the performing arts and collecting unique, “one of its kind” art for her home and for her family. She enjoyed cooking special meals, sharing secret recipes, and entertaining family and friends. Margaret always completed each meal with a lovely desert and her beautiful smile.

In 1952, Margaret was wed in holy matrimony to Dr. Howard Jerry Foster of Gadsden, Alabama. To this union four children were born—Jeanne, Gary, Kathy, and Tracy. Margaret was a devoted mother who remained home to raise her children in their early formative years. She was a wonderful homemaker who kept a beautiful house filled with the laughter, learning, and playfulness of her children, friends, and neighbors. She made holidays and special celebrations memorable, ensuring great family traditions. Her proudest accomplishment was witnessing her children become successful adults with strong character, compassion, and a commitment to pay it forward.

Margaret was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Howard Jerry Foster; her son, Gary Louis Foster; and her daughter, Kathy Foster Johnson. She leaves to cherish her memory, her daughters Dr. Jeanne Foster Jacobs of Nashville, TN, and Tracy Ann Webb (Timothy) of Houston, TX; her grandchildren, Alva Jacobs, III (Cheryl) of Huntsville, AL; Alexandra Michelle Webb and Adrienne Clarke Webb, Esq. of Houston, TX; Jessica Denise Johnson of Rockville, MD and Nicholas Foster Johnson of Tampa, FL; her great grandchildren, Alva Drake Jacobs and Noah Avery Jacobs of Huntsville, AL; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

“I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7.                                                 

  The service will be live streamed @ stvincentschurchfamily.com