Autry's Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home
On January 3, 2025, Tonya Dodson Foster of The Woodlands, Texas rejoined her husband of 65 years, Dr. Bob Foster, who preceded her into the arms of Jesus less than six months earlier. Born in Athens, Texas on February 9, 1943, to Bunella and C.O. "Pete" Dodson of Malakoff, younger sister to Sammie Dodson McBurney, Tonya lived most of her life in Henderson County. After marrying Bob, she moved to Houston while he was in dental school and where two of their children were born. Their young family moved to Florida and was stationed at Elgin Air Force base where their 3rd child was born and Tonya began her love of the ocean. Settling back in Athens afterwards, Tonya and Bob had two more children, modeling and encouraging their now five children to know and trust God. As wife, Mom, Nana, Aunt Tony, and friend. Tonya stood in the gap by texting and calling and sending cards, believing the words of Isaiah 40:29-31, praying for herself and those she loved to wait on the Lord for their strength so they would not grow weary, a lesson she was certainly tasked with in her last days and to which she responded daily, "God is good". For much of her life Tonya was an active member of First Baptist Church of Athens. She could also be found over the years helping in concessions stands for baseball, softball, football and band boosters. Each summer the family made time for a beach vacation at Tonya's request. Once their children were grown, she and Bob stepped up their extensive travels throughout the U.S. and Canada by car or RV, visiting family and friends, sometimes with grandkids in tow making it to as many National Parks as possible, up and down the West Coast highway 1 multiple times, and annual treks to the beach in Florida for the sunshine and seafood .Tonya leaves many mourning her absence, but rejoicing she is no longer in pain and that she is reunited with her love, Bob. She leaves behind her daughter Cherie (Greg Colburn) of the Woodlands, son Jim of Kenai, Alaska; son, Cliff(Lisa) of Aledo; son, Scott ( Leigh Anna) of Palo Alto, California; daughter, Jennifer(Darren Hanson) of Banquete. Tonya also leaves twelve grandchildren and six great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, and cousins, and her beloved ladies Sunday School class at First Baptist Athens. Her family is grateful to the caregivers and the Devotion Hospice staff who grew to love her and call her friend. Tonya will be interred alongside Bob at 2:00 pm on Monday, February 1, 2025, at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Athens. The public is invited to attend. Although she adored flowers, Tonya asked that memorials be given to Texans on Mission https://www.texansonmission.org or Campus Crusade for Christ International https://www.cru.org, both of which she and Bob supported throughout their lives.
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