Janice Stewart Foster, age 80, of Pinehurst, NC, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in Pinehurst. God gave us a few extra hours to gather the family together and be with her as she went to be with her Lord that day.
Born July 1, 1943 in Pikeville, KY, she was a daughter of the late John Wesley Stewart and Mary Damron Stewart. She graduated from Jenkins High School in Jenkins, KY in 1961 and was the Homecoming Queen in her quaint home-town. Janice graduated from Hicks Beauty School in Norfolk, VA in 1962, and began her career as a hairstylist. Throughout her 50+ year career, she owned and operated Lady J Beauty Salon in Virginia Beach, VA for many years and worked at LaParee Hair Salon in Virginia Beach. She transitioned as a stylist for JC Penney Salon, Rocky Mount, NC, then finally retired. Making people look and feel their best was her passion, and all of her clients considered her a dear friend.
Janice was quick witted and fun loving. She was small in stature, but lived and loved big! Janice never met a stranger and her hugs and smiles have blessed so many along the way. You knew she cared for you, and her infectious laugh stayed in your memory! She moved to Moore County, NC to live with her daughter and son-in-law after her husband died, and quickly became active in church and the community. She was a proud member and volunteer of Grace Church in Southern Pines and facilitated a monthly Senior Ladies Lunch group. Almost every day she asked people she encountered how they were and what church they go to, sharing that she would love to have them come to Grace Church where she “just loves it there!” She also fulfilled her retirement wish of being a hospital volunteer where she worked in the gift shop on Thursday afternoons at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, and was known by many of the staff and visitors.
Her favorite past times were feeding all the birds and squirrels in Moore County, was an accomplished oil and watercolor artist, knitting and her all-time favorite–sitting on the front porch talking to everyone who passed by. Sharing meals or playing games while visiting family lifted her up and highlighted her days. She was an avid Chicago Bears Fan and never missed watching a game with her husband or son.
She was preceded in death by her husband William Graham Foster, Jr. who passed away in 2014. They were married for 50 years, living in Virginia Beach and Rocky Mount.
She is survived by her daughter Kimberly Matthews and husband Troy of Pinehurst, NC; son Craig Foster and wife Jennifer of Clayton, NC; brother Patrick Stewart and wife Deborah of LaGrange, GA; sister Debra Watson and husband Steven of Colorado Springs, CO; sister-in-law, Jean Grumiaux, N. Chesterfield, VA; grandchildren James Tyler Matthews and wife Emily of Mechanicsville, VA, Dylan Matthews of Pinehurst, Tresten and Braiden Warren both of Clayton, and several nieces: Debbie Popp, Donna Grumiaux, K. D. Huff, Shelly Thomas, Robbin Tungett, Lisa Broughman, Brittany Bryan, Lindsay Kotal and Brooke Fraser, along with their spouses.
From our family, a special thank-you goes out to the Pinehurst First Responders and especially the First Health Moore Hospital teams that took wonderful care of her in her hours of need.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 25th at Grace Church in Southern Pines.
Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made payable to: Grace Church EXP. This will be for Youth Christian Camp Scholarships. Please mail to Grace Church, 1519 Luther Way, Southern Pines, NC 28387. She would delight in sending youth to life-changing summer camp.
Services are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made at PinesFunerals.com.
