Thank You, Sister Foulger!

As one honored to attend the funeral for Sister Mary F. Foulger on Saturday, November 20, I was privileged to witness a fitting tribute to the accomplishments and legacy of one of the finest saints who have ever lived on this earth.  Indeed, as Bishop Marriott declared in opening the service, the memorial service was a celebration of the wonderful life of our friend and exemplar.  With much emotion and love but with little sadness, two of her children and three of her granddaughters shared with us through stories and testimonies the greatness of their mother and grandmother.  Sisters Ariel Bybee and her daughter, and Allison Ellredge and her mother, close friends, paid homage with song and cello and piano.  Brother Sid Foulger shared a letter he had written to Sister Foulger on their earlier anniversary.  Elder Ralph Hardy, area authority, also paid a special tribute to Sister Foulger.  The service was climaxed by what followed in conclusion.  All of her grandchildren and great grandchildren arose from the middle section of pews and overfilled the choir seats.  With such great spirit and fervor, they sang the "We'll Bring the World His Truth (Army of Helaman)."  It was amazing to behold and marvel this angelic family singing as the hosts of heaven and standing before us as a living testament to the legacy of Sister Foulger.  As Elder Hardy remarked, there are few memorial services, where half of the attendees are family.  We shared tears during the moments of silence after the prayer, where we witnessed her coffin and family stream out the side door.  What a wonderful tribute to an elect lady and a treasured friend.

From the perspective as a member of the Montgomery Chinese Branch, where she and Brother Foulger attended church for most of last 14 years, having been privileged to serve as her ecclesiastical leader for most of the last 9 years, and as a friend of their family, I want to express my personal gratitude for Sister Foulger.  My first impression of Sister Foulger and Brother Foulger was being pleasantly surprised by their waiting for us in the parking lot of the Potomac Chapel before our embarking on a Hill Cumorah trip.  Although they did not go with us, I was very impressed that they would be waiting there with us at 6am.  Consequently, thereafter we were favored to witness their tireless efforts on behalf of the branch members in hosting numerous firesides and parties at their home, their friendshipping and loving of members and investigators alike, and their support of many branch activities.  We cherish with loving memory the trip to Salt Lake City and the visit of Elder and Sister Tai.  She along with President Foulger was like a branch father and mother to us.

Sister Foulger served as the branch Young Women's President from 1996 to 2004 and then as a 3rd Counselor to the Young Women's President (then my wife) for a few months in 2006.  During this period of close to a decade, she has influenced the many young women in our branch.  As has been noted before, it was an amazing miracle to see Sister Foulger attend every car wash, travel to Girl's Camp during testimony meetings, host sleepovers at her home, and help the young women plan and carry out so many wonderful activities.  Yes, she was in her eighties when she was actively working with the young women.  Even more impressive was that the loving and gentle but persuasive manner in which she touched each young women individually and helped them in their own lives.

Personally, she has touched my life in so many quiet ways.  Whether it was in an interview or causal conversation, she amazingly motivated me to better at all times.  Never did she voice a single complaint about life's hardships during all her trials.  Never did she utter a single caustic word about any individual but always offered since praises for each and every person.  Always she reached out with love and gentle kindness to each soul she met.  Always she walked as a living testimony that God lives and loves each of us.

Thank you, Sister Foulger.  May we in grateful remembrance strive to be better followers of Jesus Christ, of which you have always been the best example.