James ("Jim" or "JC") Clifton Foster was born on November 20, 1930 in Chattanooga, Tennessee, the third of six children of the late Pearl Malone and Leonard Foster. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal savior at the age of 12 and was baptized at the former Missionary Ridge Baptist Church in Chattanooga, TN. He attended the public schools of Chattanooga, graduating in 1951 as the Valedictorian of the Howard High School. He later attended the American University in Washington, DC and completed several graduate courses at various institutions of higher learning.

Foster volunteered for the U.S. Air Force in 1951 and served honorably for four years that included duty as a Cryptographic Specialist in Japan and Korea during the Korean conflict. In 1954, he married the former Mary Wright, whom he met when they were classmates in the 8th grade. They became the thankful parents of two sons and a daughter. In 1955, he began a career with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as a mail clerk, GS-3. After a series of promotions and assignments, he retired in 1989 as the Director of Personnel for the Commission. The first African-American to advance to the supervisory grade of GS-15 or higher, Foster earned every type of performance and honorary award given by the Commission to its staff, including its highest, the Distinguished Service Award.

In 1957, he joined the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Washington, DC. At Emmanuel, he sang in the Senior Choir and with the a cappella group, the Harrison Four. He served as a Sunday school teacher and Superintendent, Director of Christian Education, and Chairman of various ad-hoc and standing committees, as well as Coordinator of the Senior Adult Ministry. In 1976,  Foster was ordained a deacon and in 1984 he was elected Chairman of the Board of Deacons, a  position he held for 12 years, including a period of two years when the pulpit was vacant.

In 1987, Deacon Foster became active with the American Baptist Churches of the South ("ABCOTS"). He served as President of Area One, and in 1997, was elected to the General Board of ABC-USA, a national convention with more than one million members. He was honored to serve in various leadership roles including Vice President of the Board of National Ministries.

Deacon Foster was also active in community affairs, serving on various boards of directors of national and regional organizations. In May 2005, he and his bride Mary Ellen ("Chicken") relocated to Palm Coast, FL and joined the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church where he was designated as a deacon, and later served as Chair of the deacon ministry. He served various leadership roles in the Ministry of Education, including Sunday school teacher and Superintendent of Sunday School.

Deacon Foster stayed spiritually fortified by studying God's word, praying, and attending to the needs of the sick and shut-in. In his leisure time, he enjoyed reading, listening to music, and watching sports -simple pleasures that brought him joy and relaxation. A devoted family man, he was deeply proud of and devoted to his biological family and cherished his church family.

Deacon Foster was called to his eternal home on Sunday, August 16, 2026, while lovingly held by family. He is survived by two loyal sons, Eric C. Foster (and a special daughter in-law, Bishop Andrea), Rock Hill, SC; and dutiful Leonard Foster (St. Augustine, FL); and a loving daughter, Pamela, currently residing in Palm Coast. Six precious grandchildren, Eric Jr., Levoy (companion, Kayla), Nickaya, Arrington, Addison Foster (and wife, Ashlyn) and Suni Saint-Cyr , also survive, as well as three great granchildren, Kyarra, Myanna, and Hallie Gene.

He is survived by his loving and devoted sister Ann Foster Starks; He leaves behind his faithful brother-in-law John Wright, and faithful sister-in-law Faye Brantley who mourn his passing; also Cheryl Windsor, and other cherished family members, including several nephews, nieces, cousins, and many dear friends. Hold the memory of Deacon Foster close, and remember the timeless words of the Apostle Paul that he so often shared when greeting family and friends:

“Grace be unto you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”