Bobbie Lee Foster

On January 2, 2019, Bobby Lee Foster, the person we knew, loved and respected for his unwavering service to his Christian Faith, the Maranatha Church of God, his family, extended family and friends passed away in his sleep of natural causes in the safety and comfort of his home in Northeast Portland. 

Bob celebrated his 74th birthday on November 12, 2018 and had been hospitalized at Providence Hospital in late November and his health was considered fragile. Never one to complain with great courage and failing health, Bob continued his daily activities until his demise on New Years’ day. 

Bob was born in Raleigh, North Carolina. His parents Marie Green Foster and Robert Foster preceded him in death in 1992 and 1949. Bob resided in Raleigh until he was 17 years old. He moved to Pittsburg, PA and completed high School with his Aunt and Uncle Estelle and Brooks Love and his cousins Bette Love Gibbs and Willie Love.

Bob had four siblings. His Oldest Brother Earl J. Green passed away in Greensboro, North Carolina in August of 2000. His Brother James Green a long-time resident of Baltimore, MD passed away in September of 2013. Bob’s only sister is a former resident of Portland, Oregon. She currently lives Northern California. His youngest Brother and Sister-in-Law live in Northern Virginia.

Bob was joined in marriage in 1968 in Philadelphia to Marietta Foster and had three daughters from that first union. Gwendolyn Marie and twin daughters Brandy and Pamela. Bob met his second wife, Vanessa and married a decade later in Alexandria VA. 

Bob and Vanessa had four children, two daughters, Erica and Brea and two sons, Christopher and David. His ex-wife Vanessa, their children and grandchildren currently reside in North Carolina in Guilford County. Bob is also survived by his daughter Jennifer Huggins who is an attorney in Washington, D.C.

Bobby Lee’s driving skills and his love of commercial vehicles led his to an early career as an Interstate Bus Driver. He was employed by Trailways and Greyhound and traveled extensively thru out the United States. He launched Foster Corporate Travel in Washington D C focused primarily on transporting collegiate teams and gatherings for annual family reunions.

Bob moved from Greensboro, North Carolina to Portland, Oregon in 1993. He had previously lived almost exclusively on the East Coast in major cities urban in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Washington D C and Alexandria in Northern VA just inside the Washington D.C. beltway.

One in Portland he networked with the Portland Trail Blazers, The Rose Festival Events Organizers and the Portland Chamber to market the services he provided thru Foster Corporate Travel. 

Bob was drafted early on in 1993 as a volunteer on the Good n the Hood Music and Food Festival Steering Committee of Volunteers. His work coordinating the security and transportation for the annual volunteer event that initially started as an annual fundraiser for Holy Redeemer School and the inner Northeast Community recently celebrated their 26thyear. 

In addition to his work volunteer work at his home Church, Maranatha Church of God, the Portland Red Cross and the Portland Urban League, Bob served on the Portland Citizen Review Commission, and was a proud and active member of the local and National Democratic Party.

Bobby Lee Foster is survived by eight children, ten grandchildren, two great grandchildren, two siblings his sister Jaki and his Brother Ernie and Sister-in-Law Linda, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in North Carolina, Virginia, Washington, D.C. Baltimore, Philadelphia, Pittsburg and Rhode Island. In addition to his family Bob leaves a host of extended family members and close personal friends that he established and maintained relationships with during the 25 years he worked and lived in Portland, Oregon. His best friend and closest extended family member is the family of Otis and Clovis ? and Mother ? .

Bob was an avid sports fan and talented athlete in his youth and young adult life. The celebration of his life and belated birthday will take place on Super Bowl weekend at Maranatha Church of God located 4222 NE 12thAvenue in Portland, Oregon at on Saturday, February 2ndat 11:00am to 2:00pm. On Sunday, February 3, 2019 at his church. Pastor T. Allen Bethel will deliver a Sunday services and will recognize Bob’s twenty-five (25) year membership and service in the Church.

Bob’s favorite place in the very scenic Portland Metro Area is the lookout point and park at Winchester Mansion. His family will spread his ashes at his favorite park after the Church service on Sunday, February 3, 2019. 

Memorial donations can be sent to and designated for Maranatha’s Haiti Medical Facility C/o Maranatha Church of God   4222 NE 12thAvenue in Portland, Oregon 97211 and the American Cancer Society of Portland, Oregon at 1015 NW 22ndAve Portland, OR 97210 
 

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