Doris Foster

Doris Jean (Wardlow) Foster was the second of eight children born to the late Ernest and Beulah Bernice Wardlow on July 27, 1940, in Muskogee, Oklahoma. She accepted Christ at Jerusalem Baptist Church in Muskogee, where she served in various children and youth ministries.

As a teen, Doris loved to dance. She would often be found doing the swing dance using doorknobs as her dance partner and having a great time. Her love for dancing remained throughout adulthood. After graduating from Manual Training High School in 1958, she was employed by Susman’s Dept. Store and the Grand Theatre.

She later decided to relocate to Albuquerque, NM to live with her aunt, Euola Cox to pursue a more promising career. After living in Albuquerque for a while, she met and eventually married Frankie D. Foster. Two beautiful daughters were born from their marriage, DeLisa Lynette and DeRhonda Kaye. Frank and Doris were married for thirty-three years.

Married to an airman in the U S. Airforce meant lots of travel and relocation. Doris returned to her hometown to be with family when her husband had to do a one-year stint in Vietnam. After his safe return, they enjoyed assignments such as Kansas City, MO, Sembach, Germany, and then back to Albuquerque.

Doris then established her career and began by working as a teller at American Federal Savings and Loan. She was a diligent, skilled and dedicated employee, and it wasn’t long before she was promoted to Assistant Vice President. Her final job prior to retirement was at Kirtland Federal Credit Union, where she was a Senior Acct Rep. She was employed there over twenty years and was in her 70’s when she finally retired.

She was a faithful member of Phillips Chapel CME where she served as a Stewardess and sang tenor in the church choir and the New Mexico Mass Choir. She loved the Lord and enjoyed ministering through song.

Doris had a feisty spirit, and sometimes a sharp tongue, but an even softer heart. There is nothing she wouldn’t do (within her power) to help you. She was such a giving person that she would rather go without than to see you in lack. She would often jokingly say. “You need to know, there’s a Doris # 1 and Doris # 2, and you don’t want to experience Doris #2.” She was most often Doris #1 and loved with all her heart.

She was proceeded in death by her husband of 33 years Frankie D. Foster; parents, Ernest and Beulah Wardlow; siblings, Earnest, Curtis, Marvin and Dolvin Wardlow, and her 1st cousin, Lawrence Baines, who her parents raised.

She leaves to cherish and celebrate her life, her devoted daughter and caregiver, DeLisa Lynette Byron, Loganville, GA, DeRhonda Kaye Foster, Albuquerque, NM; a devoted and committed granddaughter and caregiver Che’Lyse Simone (Destin) Robinson, Loganville, GA; her youngest granddaughter, Ny’Aja Foster-Jackson, Albuquerque, NM; a grandson; David Goodloe, Jr., Los Angeles, CA, and three great grandchildren; Jaxson & Camryn Robinson and Lei’lani Goodloe; three siblings, Debra (Charles) Coleman, Ellenwood, GA, Donald (Mary) Wardlow, Muskogee, OK, Ronald (Clara) Wardlow, Tampa FL; her 1st cousin, Ola Still, who her parents raised; three sisters-in-law, Katherine, Joyce, and Cathy Wardlow; a bonus daughter and son, Connie Lackey-Terry and Cedric Walker; a special niece, Marilyn Freeman, and several nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Funeral Service honoring Doris Foster will be held on April 11, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM at Phillips Chapel Christian Methodist, located at 1401 Edith Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM, 87102. Friends and family are invited to gather and pay their respects as they honor a life filled with love and legacy.