Nesta Foster

Nesta Faye Garner Foster went home to be with Jesus on September 19, 2021, while surrounded by her family, at the age of 84.

Nesta was born in Richlands, North Carolina, on March 22, 1937. She grew up in North Carolina, Virginia, and Ohio, and graduated from Beulaville High School in North Carolina in 1955. Her family moved to Columbus, Ohio, in 1955, where her father opened a service station. There she met Clarence, originally from Richlands, North Carolina, who moved to Columbus to work at the service station alongside his best friend and Nesta's Cousin, Robert. On September 7, 1958, Nesta and Clarence married, beginning 63 years of adventure.

At the age of 16, Nesta started driving a school bus, transporting her own classmates to school. She went on to drive for the better part of 45 years, winning multiple driving awards. After retiring from Worthington Schools, she pursued new careers as both a Tupperware manager and a real estate agent. Along the way she worked as a bookkeeper for Honeywell and the U.S. Army, and also served in the Women's Army Corps. Her most cherished role was that of loving wife, mother, and grandmother.

Nesta was a very creative person and mastered every craft she tried, including painting, drawing, baking, cake decorating, ceramics, needlepoint, and cross stitch. As a very accomplished seamstress she made many clothes for herself and family. She especially enjoyed crocheting and knitting handmade items for every family member.

Nesta played the piano and organ and was often accompanied by Clarence on guitar and vocals. She enjoyed pool time and game nights with her family, as well as frequent trips to North Carolina to visit family and spend time at the beach. Clarence and Nesta loved to travel together and went on several cruises.

Nesta was a welcoming person who never met a stranger. She opened her home to everyone and was always ready for a visit. She poured her love, wisdom, support, and guidance into all around her, but especially her kids and grandkids. She faced every challenge in life with courage and determination.

Nesta was preceded in death by her parents William K. and Beadie Taylor Garner; sister Carolyn Garner; granddaughter Brittani Foster; Father and Mother in-love Nathaniel and Hazel Foster; brothers and sisters in-love Nathaniel Jr., Max, Hilda Pearl, and Thomas Franklin. She is survived by husband Clarence; daughters Donna Lynn (Rick) Plotts, Laura Denise (Jim) Mason, and Diana Leigh (Steve) Blackburn; grandchildren Colin Foster, Anthony (Kathleen Blain) Squadrani, Jessica (Jordan) Polsdorfer, Sean Plotts, Randi (Jesús) Walle, Joshua Foster, and Nickolas Mullet; great-grandchildren Griffin, Avery, Anthony Jr., Archer, Jaxon, Ethan, Olivia, Jude, Gabriel, and many others she cherished who loved her as Mom and Grandma; sister Edna (Paul) Atkinson; close niece Karin (John) Scholl; sisters in-love Shelby, Ida Mae (Gene), Hazel Lee, and Kathy (Johnny); as well as numerous other loved ones.

Nesta came to know Jesus Christ as her personal Savior at a young age, and her family looks forward to seeing her again in Heaven.

Visitation will be Friday, September 24, at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Polaris Church (8225 Worthington-Galena Road in Westerville), followed by the service at noon. Interment to follow at Fairview Memorial Park (5079 Columbus Pike in Lewis Center).