William Herbert "Pete" Foster

William Herbert (Pete) Foster, 88 of Rocky Mount died Monday, February 19, 2007. He was born April 10, 1918 in the Scruggs Community of Franklin County. Pete was predeceased by his parents Elbert Grady Foster and Sally Meem Dudley Foster, and two sisters Pauline Foster Boothe and Mary Foster Shine. Pete graduated from Rocky Mount High School and National Business College in Roanoke. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940, and after attending Officers Candidate School, he served in the Adjutant General’s Command and Staff School where he was promoted to the rank of Captain. Pete served as instructor in both Texas and Maryland. After his discharge in 1946, he returned to Rocky Mount where he and his father Gray established Franklin Grocery and Grain Corporation; he was actively involved in this business until his retirement in 1988. Having joined the Rocky Mount United Methodist Church at the age of six, he was the oldest living active member at the time of his death. He was a vital member of the Franklin County Democratic Party, and his loyalty and involvement on local, state, and federal levels resulted in his receiving much recognition and many awards. During his many years as an involved member of the Rocky Mount Lions Club, one of his greatest pleasures was participating in the many musical productions presented by the organization. Pete was always very proud and supportive of Ferrum College and was the recipient of the annual Trustee’s Award from Ferrum College in 1969. In an effort to maintain the college’s growth, in 1970 he served as Chairman of the Campaign Challenge in Franklin County. In addition to his business and civic interests, he was a tobacco farmer, a conservationist planting acres of trees, and an animal lover donating land to the SPCA for a new animal pound. Pete Foster had a wonderful life being quite successful in all of his endeavors and having a wife and children who loved and respected him. Surviving are his devoted wife Peggie Anderson Foster of 49 years; a son Peter Gray and wife Melody Ann Gunter Foster of Richmond; twin daughters Sally Ann Foster Mullikin and husband John Owen Mullikin III of Powhatan; Sarah Alice Foster Bartell and husband Richard Evert Bartell of Ashland; grandchildren Chelsea Grayce Foster and Claire Catherine Foster of Richmond; John Owen Mullikin IV of Powhatan; Amanda Jane Bartell and Samuel Riley Bartell of Ashland; sister Louise Foster Woody of Rocky Mount; sister-in-law Alice Patricia Coyne of Roanoke; brothers-in-law Charles E. Boothe III of Eden Prarie, Minnesota and Alfred F. Shine of Stuart, Florida. Also surviving are several nephews and nieces. Funeral services celebrating his life will be conducted from Rocky Mount United Methodist Church 12:00 noon Thursday with Rev. Robert Edwards officiating. Interment will follow in High Street Cemetery. In lieu of flowers or food, the family requests donations be made to the Rocky Mount United Methodist Church 35 N. Main Street, Rocky Mount, VA 24151 or The Franklin County Humane Society, Inc., 18401 Virgil Goode Highway, Rocky Mount, VA 24151. Friends may call after 3 p.m. Wednesday with his family receiving friends from 7 – 9 p.m. at Flora Funeral Service, 665 South Main Street, Rocky Mount.