Bessie Irene Zumwalt Foster

Mrs. Bessie Irene Zumwalt Foster, age 102 years, passed away Thursday, July 16, 2015, at Moberly Nursing and Rehab, Moberly, Mo. She was born on April 22, 1913, in New Bloomfield, Mo., the daughter of Church Wells and Virgie Merriam Blythe Zumwalt. She was married on July 4, 1937, in Guthrie, Mo. to William "Bill" Edward Foster. He preceded her in death on March 9, 1971. A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, she attended elementary and high school in Ashland, Mo. She and Bill moved to Jefferson City in 1949, where she began her career in nursing. After working as a nurse's aide for a number of years, Bessie became a homemaker and was able to fill her days doing the things she loved. She was a gifted seamstress and enjoyed sewing and quilting. She also loved to be outside working in her yard and tending to her flower garden. Survivors include: one brother, Carl Leslie Zumwalt (and wife Shirley) of Peoria, Ariz.; sister-in-law, Joy Zumwalt of Columbia Mo.; three nephews, David Wells Myers, Harrisonville, Mo., David Carl Zumwalt and Daniel Paul Zumwalt, both of Columbia, Mo.; and two nieces, Carolyn Wilson of Lecanto, Fla. and Dawn Laskey of Surprise, Ariz. She was preceded in death by her parents; one son, Gale Edward Foster on June 7, 1951; one sister, Ruth Elizabeth Warsop; and two brothers, John David Zumwalt and Cecil Ernest Zumwalt. A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at Hawthorn Memorial Gardens. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to the New Salem Baptist Church, Ashland, Mo. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com