Ms. Gwendolyn Rudine Smyre Foster passed away peacefully Wednesday at her home. She was 71 years old.
A native of Columbus and the daughter of Mr. Carter Smyre, Jr. of Columbus and the late Mildred Bass Smyre, Ms. Foster was a 1966 graduate of William H. Spencer High School. She received her undergraduate and Masters degrees from Columbus State University. She retired as a Financial Analyst from Pratt and Whitney. She also was employed as a Professor at Miller Motte Technical College and was the Director of the Christian Women Job Corps of Greater Columbus. A very devout member of Pinehurst Baptist Church, she was active as the Director of the Women's Ministry, served as a Sunday School Teacher and sang in the Choir. She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and on the Board of Directors of "STEAM".
Surviving other than her father are four children: Robbie Branscomb (Roderick, Sr.), Robert M. Foster, Sr., Francine M. "Franki" Foster (Corey) and Claudia Rudine Valrie; one brother, State Representative Calvin Smyre; seven grandchildren, Olivia Foster, Kimberly Golden, Yuna Golden, Lydia Foster, Robert M. Foster, Jr., Tatiana Williams and Jeremiah Branscomb; one great grandchild, Jaliyah Golden; one niece, Theresa Roundtree; a great niece and nephew, Morgan and Javon Roundtree; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.
Ms. Foster will be laid to rest at Green Acres Cemetery on Monday, June 24, 2019 following a Twelve O'clock Noon Homegoing Celebration in the sanctuary of Pinehurst Baptist Church. Pastor Tony R. Dickerson will officiate.
Visitation 1:30 til 5:00 P.M. Sunday at the funeral home.
The Staff of Progressive Funeral Home is honored to support the family with End of Life Services.
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You are in our prayers that God will continue to provide the required Blessings and Strength during this time. Lindsey Creek Area Civic Association, W.J.Brown
so very sorry to hear of the passing of a childhood friend whom I shall never forget...yes she had a powerful booming singing voice and her dad (then sgt smyre)would chauffer she ,me and another high school friend to sing all over Ft benning,the Officer's Club etc. continued prayers to you all from the Jivens family,Washington Heights neighbors,friends and schoolmates.GOD BLESS.
Gwen will surely be missed, I remembered her powerful voice singing during our service when i first joined the Pinehurst family. RIP my sister
To the family of Ms. Foster. May the God of all comfort give you all the comfort you need to get through. Loosing a loved one is hard. We can be sure that God is also hurting when we hurt. The scripture at Revelation 21;3,4 tells us that he will wipe away all tears and death will be done away with.