Dr Harry R Foster Jr Obituary (1931 - 2017)

Service: 3 o'clock, Sunday, July 2, 2017 Place: The Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection Visitation: 4-7pm, Saturday, July 1, 2017 Place: Henry Funeral Home, Lithonia God and His Angels welcomed Dr. Harry Robert Foster, Jr. to his heavenly home on Thursday evening, June 29, 2017. He was a devoted servant of God and faithfully provided pediatric medical care to Lithonia and the surrounding communities for 52 years. Dr. Foster was born on August 5, 1931 in Commerce, Georgia, the first and only son of a respected Presbyterian minister, Harry Robert Foster, and his wife Annie Mae Hill Foster. After graduating as valedictorian of his high school class in Summerville, Georgia, he attended Presbyterian College and later graduated from the Medical College of Georgia in 1955. After graduation, he completed an internship at Duval County Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida and then served two years as Captain in the U. S. Army. After his military service was completed, Dr. Foster moved to Lithonia, Georgia to fulfill his obligation to the state's Country Doctor Scholarship and worked with Dr. Alfred H. Hunt. In 1960, he began his residency in pediatrics at Emory University. Dr. Foster accepted a fellowship in pediatric cardiology at the New York Hospital, Cornell University Medical Center from 1962-1964. Dr. Foster then returned to Lithonia to begin private practice and become director of the pediatric teaching program at Georgia Baptist Hospital. He was appointed as director of the Children's Medical Services Cardiac Program for the state of Georgia. He continued to practice pediatrics until his retirement in 2017. During his entire professional career, Dr. Foster was extremely involved in his community. He was the recipient of the prestigious Julius McCurdy Citizenship Award, the A. H. Robbins Citizenship Award, City of Lithonia Pillars of the Community Award, outstanding achievement award by the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and was honored by his church when the playground was dedicated in his name. Rockdale Medical Center recognized his many years of service by placing his portrait in the Birth Center. Dr. Foster is survived by his wife of 49 years, Emily Carden Foster, daughter Elizabeth Foster Bloodworth, M.D. and her husband James Romey Bloodworth, Jr., M.D. of Greenville, SC, son Harry Robert Foster, III and his wife Jaime Hinsdale Foster of Atlanta, GA, grandchildren Laura Elizabeth Bloodworth, James Romey Bloodworth, III, Benjamin Foster Bloodworth, James Robert Foster, and Carden Hall Foster. In addition, he is survived by his sisters, Anne Foster Dean, Ina Foster Moore and her husband, Alan, and Elizabeth Foster Pate and her husband, Frank, numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, July 2, 2017 at the Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection, 3676 Highway 20 NE Conyers, GA 30013. A musical tribute honoring Dr. Foster by Kay Haslett and Lamar Savage will begin thirty minutes prior to the service. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall immediately following the service. Interment Turner Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. All wishing to remember Dr. Foster are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta 1577 NE Expressway, Suite A Atlanta, GA 30329 or the Presbyterian Church of the Resurrection 3676 Highway 20 NE Conyers, GA 30013.