Betty Lou Walters Foster, 85, of Statesville, N.C., passed away on Monday, May 1, 2023, at the Gordon Hospice House.

Betty was born on August 25, 1937, in Iredell County. She was the daughter of late Barron Deran Walters and Sarah Lou Adkins Walters. She was a 1955 graduate of Statesville High School, attended Meredith College and graduated from Lenoir Rhyne College with a degree in education. She was married to Wallace Wilkie Foster, who passed in 2006. They were married for 48 years. Betty taught school in Iredell and Alexander counties before retiring with 32 years in her career. She was voted teacher of the year multiple times, with her many students citing her nonjudgmental, sunny outlook, and unwavering optimistic support as her many attributes. She was a lifelong member of Saint John’s Lutheran Church in Statesville. Betty loved her church, family, friends, and her Pomeranian, Brooke.

She was also an avid sports fan and could be found rooting on “her teams” with vigor. If she wasn’t watching sports, she would be enjoying Andrea Bocelli and Frank Sinatra. All who knew Betty will say she was a breath of fresh air, who would brighten any room she walked in. Her infectious personality encouraged everyone around her to strive for greatness. She was the epitome of a Southern lady, a true rare gem.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Leslie Foster Davidson, in 2019.

Left to cherish her memory is a daughter, Kathryn F. Gantt (Shannon Gantt) of Statesville; granddaughter, Jennifer Davidson of Statesville; grandsons, David Davidson (Brandon) of Hickory and John-Barron Davidson (Gracie Thompson) of Hickory; and great grandson, Dougles Davidson of Statesville, and Dalton L. Davidson of Hickory.

A service to celebrate the life of Betty Lou Foster will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 4, 2023, at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor Ernie Sheldon officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Thursday from 1 until 2 p.m. in the church fellowship hall.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church at 740 N Center Street, Statesville, NC 28677 or to the Gordon Hospice House at 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. The family would especially like to thank Sabrina Cook of Hospice for her love and care of Mrs. Foster.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the family.