Oleta Fern Foster, 92, of McKinney, Texas, passed away on March 11, 2026. Born on October 20, 1933 in Idalou, Texas, to Emmitt and Rosa Lillian Sowder, Oleta, the youngest of seven, grew up in Idalou and the Lubbock area. She attended Idalou schools and later Texas Tech University, where her lifelong love for the Red Raiders began. Even at 92, she remained an avid fan of anything Texas Tech.
Oleta spent most of her life in West Texas before moving to the Dallas–Fort Worth area in 1992. She retired from Texas Instruments after many years of dedicated service. Known for her remarkable green thumb, Oleta could coax any plant to thrive, and she carried a deep love for music throughout her life.
Her greatest accomplishment and deepest joy came from raising her seven children and building a legacy through fifteen grandchildren, thirty-one great‑grandchildren, and seven great‑great‑grandchildren who call her Grams. She raised her family with love, strength, and a generous spirit.
Oleta embodied the spirit of Proverbs 31:28-29 “Her children arise and call her blessed… Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Oleta was preceded in death by her parents and siblings; husband, Daniel Christian Foster; son, Emmitt Daniel Foster; granddaughter, Misty Foster; and great‑great‑grandson, Koda James Canida.
She is survived by children, Eileen Haley (Bill) of Tom Bean, Texas, John Foster (Chandra) of Denison, Texas, Alicia Call of Aubrey, Texas, Felicia Farris (Rodney) of Midlothian, Texas, Paul Foster (Kristi) of Midlothian, Texas, and Leslie Foster of McKinney, Texas; host of many grandchildren, great‑grandchildren, and a growing generation of great‑great‑grandchildren and their families; sister-in-law, Eula Foster and many nieces and nephews.
Oleta will be remembered for her warmth, grace, humor, and unwavering love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
A funeral service will be held Friday, March 27, 2026 at Turrentine-Jackson-Murrow Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m. The service will also be live streamed at the following link: https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/oleta-fern-sowder-foster. Following the service, a procession will make its way to the DFW National Cemetery for interment at 1:00 p.m.
Family will receive guests during a visitation on Thursday evening, March 26, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Turrentine-Jackson-Murrow Funeral Home, 2525 Central Expressway North, Allen, Texas 75013.