The Lee MacLellan Family Story
John William Foster, Jr. - GRANDSON
Author's Note: It is common practice when developing genealogical charts to focus on deceased people, not those still living. But this is a family story, not a genealogical history, so I'm going to let John Foster describe his life to date in his own words.
"I was born in 1947 and lived my entire early life in Columbia, SC. I was educated in the public schools there, graduating from Dentsville High School in 1965. I still hold two records for their basketball team. I hold the record for the earliest anyone ever fouled out in the first half, and also the record for the most times of anyone making the varsity team and then getting sent down to the jay-vees.
"I graduated from Mars Hill College in 1969, which is a small, progressive liberal arts institution in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, located about 20 miles north of Asheville.
"After college, I served as a Naval Officer for 22 years. Five years were active duty, 3 at sea on a fleet oiler homeported in Norfolk, VA, and 2 more on shore duty. For 17 years I served as a Naval Reserve Intelligence Officer with a specialty in counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism.
"My day job for 35 years was one following in my father’s footsteps as owner and manager of a small insurance agency in Columbia, SC, and in later years, Camden, SC."
I couldn't resist this picture of John as a child expressing his displeasure. Maybe it was because of the tie...
"The most rewarding community service I have ever done was in the field of Health Care governance. I served on the Board of Trustees of a large Columbia hospital for 30 years. I also served as a Director on the Board for the largest Hospital system in SC from 2011-2017."
John Foster at 18
It was at Mars Hill that John met his future wife Mary Rome Rector (1947-1995). Mary Rome had many gifts.
She was an exceptional singer, and produced several CDs of her singing. Tragically she died from cancer at just 48, but not before she became a pastoral counselor who aided other cancer patients.
John and Mary Rome had two children, Mary Catherine Foster and Matthew John Foster.
Mary Rome with Mary Catherine on her lap, John Foster with Matthew between his legs. Taken in 1982.
This is John's favorite picture of his wife. It was also the publicity picture she gave to her concert-goers.
Mary Rome with Matthew Foster age 1 on her lap