Irene Elizabeth Yelton Foster
August 20, 1938 ~ April 24, 2009
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Irene Elizabeth Yelton Foster, 70, of Landis Court, Asheville, died Friday, April 24, 2009, at Mission Hospitals.
A native of Madison County, she was a daughter of the late Floyd and Leucittia English Yelton. She was also preceded in death by her previous husband, Charles O. Foster; a son, Frederick W. Shook and a brother, Charles W. Yelton
Irene was a resident of Buncombe County for most of her life. She attended North Asheville Baptist Church and worked for Sams of Asheville as a sales associate with 14 years of service. She was a member of the Eastern Star.
Survivors include her daughter, Sherri Blackwell and husband Robert of Weaverville; two sisters, Jean David and Loretta Ferguson, both of Michigan; a brother, Thomas William Yelton of Alabama and a number of nieces, nephews and other relatives. Also surviving is her grandson, Toby Charles Blackwell of Weaverville, who was the center of her world.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 pm on Tuesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Ken Roberts and Lee Roy Denton officiating. Her family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Care Partners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
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I will miss you Auntie Irene!! I enjoyed the times I spent with you! Luv Sissy in Texas (christina)
To Our Beloved Sister: Reenie:
Even though we will not be at the Memorial Service, we will always remember all the good times. Sister trips: Sis Jean’s condo in Florida. We seemed to always get lost when we left the airport to go to the condo. You and I, sis, gave Sis jean a break and we would take turns getting up at 7:00 a.m. to go down to get our lounge chairs as it was always crowded. We will always remember when I let you go to sleep and was talking with people around the pool, you got so sun burned. But you forgave me and we put Tea on your burns and we all sat around and laughed and always had a good time when the threesome was together.
Trip to Texas: here we go again: the threesome went to Texas to see Rod, Carol, Christina and Justin: It was so hot in Texas but the kids had a beautiful pool and we had so much fun. These are the good times, sis that we will always remember. You are gone to be with Charlie, Mom, Dad, Freddie and Charles. No more pain and hurt. Rest in peace and we will always have you in our hearts.
Love you, Sis Jean & Sis Loretta
Sister Irene. While I was blessed with 4 natural sisters, none of them are any closer to me than you were. From sharing Charlie’s “private stock”, to helping me make black raspberry jelly, to enjoying the same “finer things” in life, I have truly been blessed to have known you. I will miss you a great deal. I know, though, that you are in a better place, with those who loved you before I knew you.
Enjoy your peace, ‘sister’, you have earned it.
Your “brother” Chris
Sherrie & Family,
Hi Sherrie. So sad to hear about your mother. I know this is a hard time for you and your family but I hope in the coming days you’re able to feel some comfort in looking towards Jesus. Take care.
i am so sorry to know of Irene’s passing. She will be greatly missed by all the ones that loved her. May God comfort you during these difficult times. Dorlas Ann
Sherri, Robert & Toby, No words can express the deepest sympathy we have for you during this difficult time. Just know we are here for you anytime you need us! I will miss you Mother’s smiling face everytime I saw her, Just remember she loved you all very much!! We Love you guys!!
Dear Sherri, Robert and Toby,
Our prayers and thoughts are with you all at this difficult time. Cherish your memories as they will keep her close to you and your family forever. Please let us know if you need anything.
With Prayers and Love,
Dennis and Carol
Sherri,Robert & Toby
Sorry for the loss of your Mom/Nana. We sure enjoyed talking with her when we would go to Sams.
Our love and prayers are with you.
Aunt Sherri, Uncle Robert, and Toby,
i am sorry for your loss Irene was such a wonderful person i always enjoyed going over to your house and sams and her always talking to me and giving me hugs as if i was her own grandchild i am going to miss that toby just rememver she will always be watching over you she loved you so very much she will be very much missed…
Much love and Prayers,
Nicole
Sherri,Robert & Toby
Sorry for the loss of your Mom/Nana. We sure enjoyed talking with her when we would go to Sams.
Our love and prayers are with you.
Sherri and family,
I am so very sorry to hear of Irene’s passing. I will always remember the times I shared with her when she came to Florida, both when Freddie was here and after he had passed. The memories will last long after the heartache eases.
God bless.
Sherri,
Dear Friend we are so sorry to hear of your loss. Your mother was such a special person to me growing up. She was always there helping us cheer teaching us how to play basketball and just being a friend. As I grew she was always there for the special occasions and we will miss seeing her smiling face. You were blessed and so was she to have had such a special daughter. We love you and send our prayers during this difficult time. I wish I could be there but John’s father is very ill and we will be heading to Eastern NC. Please let us know if you need anything. Love always,
Melanie
Irene’s Family
I was saddened to hear of Irene’s death. She was a Mars Hill School classmate and friend. We lost touch for many years until I looked her up at Sam’s Club on one of my visits to Madison and Buncombe counties. Have seen her several times since then at our class reunions and when I was shopping at Sam’s. Those invisible ties of friendship remained intact. She was always smiling and seemed as glad to see me as I was to see her. She was a special lady and I will miss her. I am sure she will be missed by her associates at Sam’s and their customers, her classmates, and her family and other friends. You have my sincere sympathy.
Dearest Irene,
As a best friend to your sister, Loretta, you became my friend too, when you were able to visit ‘up north’.We shared laughs and fourth of July fireworks. Your smile, laughter and love of fun made anyone who met you feel like they were special, but you were the special one. You will be missed. My condolences to your family.
Loretta and Chris, I am so sad to hear about Irene.Loretta I can remember when I met her almost 44 years ago and I can still hear her laugh today.She had such a happy laugh and always was joking and made all around her feel happy. Loretta even though you moved away and got married and I left Asheville and moved to Greensboro we have never really lost touch. Please know in your heart that all my love and prayers are with you, Chris and Jean today.I can think of so many happy times and even though you will be sad please remember that Irene is resting in the arms of Jesus tonight and she is with all of the people that she loves,your mom, your dad,Freddie and her beloved Charlie. she is smiling down on all of us and her laughter is spreading thru heaven.She is at peace now.I am so blessed to have known you and to have known Irene…Trust God and stay strong….Love to all of you
Sis, Nancy
Chris, Loretta and Jean,
I am so sad for your loss of your sweet sister Irene. I didn’t get to see her often, but I did from time to time when she was visiting and she was so much fun and such a sweet gal. My heart is heavy thinking of how you will miss Sis Irene. I know how hard it is, but she is the lucky one. She is with her loved ones again and will not be alone. God has brought her home to end her suffering and you will see her again one day.
I am here if you need me,
Lots of Love, Your other Sis, Jan
Sherri & Family:
Was so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. We feel your pain & loss of a loved one. Our prayers are with you, Robert, & Toby.
Dear Loretta and Chris,
We are so sad for your loss. We did not see Irene very many times, but always remember her as happy and fun. The days ahead will be difficult, but remember that she is in a happier place now and her pain is over. Though we are far away, we will keep you in our prayers. Wish we could be there to give you a big hug!!
Lots of Love,
Your ‘sister & brother’,
Nancy & Ralph
Loretta and Jean,
We were very saddened to here of Irene’s passing. Looking back it seams like only a few months ago when we first met,Loretta, in the first grade of school. We rode the same bus, and had a few disagreements, but we became the very best of friends. I remember Irene then, and she was a beautiful and strong person. She was a great friend also. Bobby and I cherish the time we spent with her. We will
miss seeing her at Sams. Please remember, she lives as long as her memory lives. She is now with her Lord and her loved ones. Don’t forget what Solomon said. She can’t come back to us, but we can go to her. May God comfort you in this time of grief. We love you as our own family.
Auntie Irene, Carol, Justin and I all love you very much. We enjoyed the visits with you and will always have those memories. We always had a great time when you came to Michigan and when you came to Texas. We gained 10 pounds with all the meals you cooked including your famous meatloaf. We will miss you. Love Rod, Carol and Justin.
Chris Ferguson,
I am sorry for your loss. I know Irene was as close to you as any of your sisters, and I know she felt the same about you. She will be missed by all. She once said you were a jewel. May God give you and Loretta peace at this time. We love you both.
Hi this is Justin. I wanted to say that there is so many great things my Auntie did for me and I appreciate them more now. She taught me so many valuable things in life and I will remember those thing as I get older. She is a wonderful person. She taught me how to swim. I was so scared I had to wear a life jacket and goggles that covered my nose. Now thanks to her and my family I swim like a fish. A little baby clown fish. I love to do tricks and do tricks on people in the water. I would like to thank her because that’s were I learned it. I will miss her greatly and I thank her again for all the kisses and hugs. Love Justin XOXO
Sheri, Robert & Toby
We are so sorry for your loss. Irene was a nice women I enjoyed seeing her at Sams and Kristen really loved talking with her too. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Love you
Dearest
Dearest Irene
You will be close in my heart and thoughts every day as long as I live. It is so very very hard to say goodbye,my heart breaks. I am planning a memorial service with our sister Loretta,husband Chris,your brother my Gerald and our son your nephew Todd. Todd talks even yet about the month he spent as a 12yr old with you in N. C..He has his love and memories of you as a young boy visiting with Auntie Irene. The best summer of my life he tells everyone. Today, Irene April 26 was my and Granny Etta’s birthday. I hope you celebrated it with our granny,son
Freddie,Charlie,momma,daddy and brother Charles. I know you will be loved by them as I love you.Goodbye for now but not forever.
Your Sister
Jean David
Northville,Michigan
Sherri, we were so sorry to hear about the loss of your Mother. She was a wonderful lady. I always looked forward to seeing her at Sams. In fact, I just saw her Fri. a week ago. She always had a smile on her face. Our thoughts and prayer are with you at this time.
Love, Karen, Faron and family.
SHERRY, ROBERT, TOBY
I KNOW YOU WILL MISS YOUR MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER VERY MUCH. SHE IS NOT SUFFERING ANY MORE.
LOVE IN CHRIST
THERESA BURLESON
Sherri,
I am very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayer.
SHERRI,ROBERT&TOBY,
MY THOUGHTS & PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.
SUSAN GREGORY
Sherri,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. We were shocked and saddened to hear about Irene. We pray for God’s comfort, strength and grace to enfold you.
Love and prayers,
Ernest and Sue Greene
Dear Sherri
My thoughts and prayer are with you and your family during this difficult time.
With deepest Sympathy,
Sherri, I wish I had the right words to say to make your saddness and emptiness better. I know your loss. In this life we sometimes know many different heart aches, but this is where God carries us through those difficult times. My thoughts and prayers are with you. In Christ, Donna Sluder
Sherry, Robert, and Toby,
I am praying that God’s arms will wrap themselves around you and comfort you during this time of loss. Losing someone so close, is a difficult time to go thru during our lives, but remember God & his Angels are rejoicing to be reunited with thier loved one the same as you will be when you are able to be with her again.
As we look around the world today, try to think of the place that God has prepared for us and that she is in that wonderful place, no sorrow, no tears, no worries, no pain, no suffering. Only peace and love, and basking in the Glory of God.
Keep your wonderful memories alive, those will give you the strength to go on until you see her again.
I’ll be keeping you all in my prayers,
Janet Miller (PSNC)
I WILL MISS HER ALOT.SHE KEPT ME STRAIGHT. SHE IS IN HEAVEN NOW,BUT SHE WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.SHE MEANT SO MUCH TO ME. LOVE YOU ALL. TERESA NICHOLSON
My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
Sherri Lynn,
So shocked to hear about Irene. Our ties go back a long way. I will be out of town the rest of the week but my thoughts are with you.
Love you,
Bobbie and Doug Sawyer
My Deepest Condolences to the family of Irene Foster. Irene allways brightened my day for 13 years of shoping at Sams,I will cherish those memories. May she rest in God’s hands now .
Dear Sherry, Robert, and Toby,
We were saddened to hear about the loss of Irene. It has been a privledge to know and pray for her over the last few years. What a preciious family she leaves behind -one that will soon see her again. I know how special she was to each of you and will pray for the peace only our Lord can give to shelter your pain.
Love &Prayers,
Terry and Robyn Hess
Sherry, Robert, & Toby
We are very sorry about Irene’s death. She has always been a special person. I remember her being so nice to Christopher and I when we would go to Smoky Mountain with mom. We will miss seeing her at Sams. We alsways looked forwrd to seeing her there. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. We will keep you guys in our thoughts and prayers.
Retta, Fergie, and Jean,
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. Even though I did not know Irene well, Loretta always spoke about how Irene was such a beautiful person and how much she loved her sis. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.
My dear Irene
It was an honor to know you and be your friend. You will be so missed by those who knew you and loved you. ‘Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me. Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.’ Rest in peace. Marge Haberkamp
We are all deeply saddened by the loss of our favorite resident of the month. Irene was a wonderful neighbor and will be greatly missed. May God comfort her family in their time of need.
Dearest Sherry, I was utterly shocked and saddened about your mom. I saw her not long ago and as usual we asked each other about ‘you’ kids and of course the grandkids. We go back a long way to Weaverville and I can tell you if more teachers had support from parents like your mom, then schools would be a much better place and students would do much better. It was my pleasure knowing her. Much, much love to you and yours, Dee
Sis Irene:
Even though I cannot be at the Memorial Service, I will miss you and you will always be in my heart. We will all be together someday.
I love you.
Brother Bill
Sis Irene:
Even though I cannot be at the Memorial Service, I will miss you and you will always be in my heart. We will all be together someday.
I love you.
Brother Bill
Dear God. I know I can ask for forgiveness in a prayer, but I will dedicate my performance in my soccer game on Saturday April 25th to my very, very special Auntie Irene. I am very selfish God. The last time I used her name in a sentience while she was still living was when I said ‘do you think Auntie Irene could get me a Tar Heels jersey?’ Then when I knew she was sick I was still worrying about that stupid jersey. So now I will play my heart out for my Auntie Irene. I will try my hardest to score for her. She was like a second mother, and I hope that she is treated with respect, love and dignity. I hope she has the best life in heaven. I love you Auntie Irene.
Justin Ferguson
On Saturday April 25th Justin knelt down on the sidelines before taking the field and blessed himself with the sign of the cross. Even though his team lost the game, Justin did play his heart out for Auntie Irene and scored the only goal his team had in the game. When Justin scored the goal he ran down the field away from the net with a huge smile on his face, threw his hands in the air, made the sign of the cross and pointed his finger to the sky with an expression of ‘that was for you Auntie Irene!’
Sherri:
I am so sorry for the loss of your mother. It was such a shock to me. I pray that God will be with you and your family. Irene will be missed so much by so many.
Love,
Cathy Stirewalt
Sherry, I was so shocked to hear about your Mothers passing.Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I sure will miss chatting with her when I go to Sams and miss her smiling face. The last time I went Randy was with me and your Mom was shocked to see Randy and said she wouldn’t have known him, so we sure had a good laugh about that.
Sorry we couldn’t make it tonight, but sure will be remembering you in our thoughts and prayers.
I am so sorry to hear of Irene’s death. She was an old friend that I worked with at Newfound Yarns many years ago. Seeing her smiling face at Sam’s was always an added bonus for me. Heaven is a happier place with her presence.
Dear Robert Sherri and Toby,
We are so sorry about your loss. We wish we could have been there in person. I hope you know we were there in spirit. We love you all so much!! You will continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. Take care and we hope to see you soon.God bless you all.
Love, John Donna and boys
I worked with Irene for 7 years at Sams Club in Asheville…..She will be missed.
Dear Family, I had the pleasure of working with Irene at Sam’s for 9 years. During that time I had some difficult days and Irene was always there to lift my Spirits! She was an incredible woman who touched the lives of everyone she met. I left Sam’s 7 years ago, but would always go in search of her everytime I went back to shop! As I went in the club yesterday I was met with a picture of Irene with that beautiful beaming smile. I learned then of her passing. I am so sorry that you have lost this beautiful woman. Just knowing her made me a better person. May God comfort you in the days and weeks to come. She will be missed beyond measure by all those who were fortunate enough to know her.
Debi Buchanan
My husband and I shop Sams just about every week, but had not been in the store in 2 weeks. Just about every time that we went we would get a chance to stop and visit with Irene. She always had a smile on her face and a welcoming voice of cheer. Of course depending on the season…we would talk football. What a treasure and blessing to those of us who knew her. Her gentleness and smiles will be missed. What a joy she was to have known. May God bless her family, her work family and her friends in these most difficult days ahead. She surely has touched a lot of lives in her life time. We will miss seeing her on our many trips to Sams. May we all feel the peace of our Heavenly Father at this time.
Irene,I miss you so much every day,never a day passes but what I hope you are with Gerald and the two of you are with the family. I am sure you are loved by all.I know today is your birthday, I wish we could celebrate it together, maybe soon Love Jean