John Foster
John (Jack) Morris Foster, 83, of Hazlehurst, went home to meet Jesus face to face on April 15, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on Oct. 11, 1942, in Hartford, Conn., he was the son of the late Mary Virginia Pitts Foster (Granny) and the late Earl Herman Foster (Paw Paw).
On Feb. 26, 1966, John married the love of his life, Marilyn Pittman Foster. They shared 60 wonderful years together and raised five children and one daughter who was not born to them but became a beloved part of the family. John was a devoted husband and father who opened his heart and home to many. He also had three brothers.
John spent his early childhood years in Pleasant Hill and later moved to Hazlehurst, where he lived until moving in with his daughter in his final days.
His first love was Jesus, and his greatest passion was praying for everyone — whether family or total strangers. From a young age, he loved cows and horses. He cherished family vacations and simple moments like going to Walmart with his best friend Jim, where they would spread the Gospel together.
In the late 1970s, when John began losing everything, he sat on the front porch for three days talking to Jesus. The Lord led him to open a saddle store and start making saddles. He gave a sermon to every customer who walked through the door. Over the years, many customers returned to thank him because his prayers had led them to Jesus. He would always humbly say he was simply doing what Jesus told him to do.
John is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marilyn Pittman Foster; his children, Wendy George (Doug), Elizabeth Lawrence (Chris), Susan Handal (Abraham), Becky Lloyd (Wayne), and Johnny Foster (Michele Durr); goddaughter, Chris Granger (Derrel); his grandchildren, Rhett George (Madalyn), Alexis Grantham (Wesley), Falon Lawrence, Brennen Handal, Cole Griffith, Rylan Griffith (Maygan), Gabriel Foster, Elijah Foster, Harrison Granger (Madison), and Holdon Granger; his great-grandchildren, Colt George and Tritt George; and a host of step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law, Donald Pittman (Velina); sisters-in-law, Betty Veeder and Julie Beringer (Rick); and his best friend, Jim McCardle.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws, Elsie and Edward Pittman; his brothers, Ronnie Jacobson, Richard Paulus, and Raymond Jacobson; his grandson, Zane Handal; his nephew, Haley Jacobson; his sisters-in-law, Pauline Paulus and Debbie Jacobson; and brother-in-law, Earl Veeder.
The family offers special thanks to Dr. Richard Guynes for over 20 years of compassionate care for Daddy’s heart, Dr. Brandon Garriga and Bonney Simmons for many years of care for his lungs, Mississippi Home Care Yazoo City staff, and all the doctors and nurses at St. Dominic Hospital who took wonderful care of him.
A celebration of John’s life was held at Gallman Baptist Church on April 21, followed by a graveside service at Gallman Baptist Church Cemetery.
John’s legacy of deep faith, fervent prayer, and unconditional love will continue to touch the lives of all who knew him.
