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Jeanerette – A Mass of Christian Burial for Murphy “Murt” James Foster, Jr, 89,
will be held on Friday, July 29, 2022, at 11:00 Am at Our Lady of the Rosary
Catholic Church, 11200 Old Jeanerette Rd., Jeanerette, LA. Fr. Francis Damoah,
Celebrant and Monsignor Ronald Broussard Concelebrant
He will be laid to rest in Holy Family Mausoleum.
Visitation will be from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM with the recitation of the rosary at
10:00 AM by the Knights of Columbus Lafayette Council.
Murphy “Murt” James Foster, Jr. was born on Friday, September 15, 1932, to
the union of the late Murphy James Foster, Sr. and Sarah Dennis Foster in
Franklin, LA, one of three children. Following graduation from Franklin Negro
High School, Class of 1950, he enlisted in the US Armed Forces. His military
career in the Air Force spanned 20 years and was honorably discharged with a
rank of Master Sergeant in 1971. He was also a life member of the Air Force
Sergeants Association. He was recently honored with a special pin and
certificate by the staff of Heart of Hospice for his services rendered to our
nation.
Prior to his military retirement he met the former, Josephine Josie Davis and
they were married on Sunday, September 27, 1970, in Four Corners, LA and
have enjoyed nearly 52 blessed years together. They relocated to Sacramento in
1971 and he began employment with Service Systems, Del Monte, and finally,
Marriot Corporation, all at the University of California in Davis, CA, and retired
after 27 years of service.
Murphy was reared and baptized at Asbury United Methodist Church in
Franklin, LA. He later converted and was confirmed into the catholic faith. He
and Josie faithfully attended mass together at St. Anne, St. Paul, and Holy Spirit
Catholic Churches. Because of the special relationship with the late Father
Nicholas Duggan, while at St. Paul he served as a dedicated Usher for 15 years.
They reunited with Holy Spirit and were active members until their
relocation. . Due to his health challenges, he could no longer attend Sunday
services but read his bible, said the rosary, and spent time in personal prayer
daily. He was a 4th Degree fully vested lifetime member of the Knights of
Columbus, Council #4443.
He was a very family-oriented man and always supported himself and his wife as
well. For years he and Josie came home each summer (and some holidays) to
spend time with their parents. Always providing what they needed and blessed
them with things they wanted. Murphy although quiet in spirit was loving and
kind. He was an awesome cook. He was afforded the opportunity to prepare the
meal schedule for the San Francisco Forty-Niners summer training camp. He
was an avid fan of the Las Vegas (Oakland) Raiders, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and
the Los Angeles Lakers. Murphy and Josie recently returned home to Louisiana
after being gone for over 50 years.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara
Martin; his father and mother-in-law, Joseph and Elvena Rideaux Davis, Sr.; his
brothers-in-law, Elwin Martin, Joseph Davis, Jr., James Davis, and Ralph
Arceneaux; one nephew, Michael Martin; a bonus nephew, Reginald Miller and
his aunts and uncles, Dorothy Butler, Clayton (Effie) Foster, Sr., Joshua Dennis,
and Idell Madison, Murphy peacefully transitioned to eternal rest on Tuesday,
July 19, 2022, at 6:00 PM with his wife, Josie, and nephew, Trent (his caregivers)
at his bedside in Lafayette, LA.
Murphy leaves embracing the heart of his devoted wife of 51 years, whom he
loved and adored, Josephine Josie Davis-Foster; a special nephew whom he and
Josie considered a son, Pastor Trent Davis of New Iberia, LA; a sister, Portia
Arceneaux of Lawrenceville, GA; two sons, Gary (Yvette) Foster of Waldorf, MD
and Brett (Renee) Foster of Las Vegas, NV; four grandsons, Gary Foster,II of
Ramstein AFB, Germany, Aaron (Mercedes) Foster of Boca Raton, FL, Marcus
Foster of Denver, CO, and Brandon Foster of Pikesville, MD; two great-
grandchildren, Ava Foster of Waldorf, MD, and Noah Foster of Boca Raton, FL; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Michael (companion, Melvina) Davis of New
Iberia, LA; Eva (Oswald) Davis- Rollins of Four Corners, LA; Ruth Ann Davis of
New Iberia, LA and Ethel Davis of Houston, TX; three godchildren, Brittany
Martin-Severin of Houston, TX, Paulfrey Jack, Jr. of New Iberia, LA and
Johnathan Rollins of Four Corners, LA; (special caregivers who loved him as a
grandfather and called him papa, Jeri Miller of Sacramento, CA, and Taniqua
Moore of Antioch, CA; Carla Lewis of Jeanerette, LA; other survivors include his
nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
Murphy affectionately called “Murt”, “Coot”, Uncle, Brother-in-law, and most
recently “Rock Steady” will always be loved and his memory forever treasured.
Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. “Forever safe in the arms of
Jesus.”
Arrangements entrusted to Carney Funeral Home, 602 N. Pierce St., Lafayette,
LA 70501 337-235-9789
Local Arrangements entrusted to Thompson Rose Chapel, 3601 5th Ave., Sacramento, Ca
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