Edith Elleen Legate

b. 13 April 1926, d. 30 November 2009
  • Edith Elleen Legate was born on 13 April 1926 in Enid, Garfield County, Oklahoma.
  • She married Henry Bonneau Foster, son of Thomas Henry Foster and Mary Ann Peace, on 7 June 1947 in Albuquerque, Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
  • Edith Elleen Legate became a widow at the 9 February 1985 death of her husband.
  • Edith Elleen Legate died on 30 November 2009 at age 83 in Benton County, Arkansas.
  • She was interred at Bentonville Cemetery, Bentonville, Benton County, Arkansas.
  • The following appeared on 2 December 2009 in the Benton County Daily Record: (Springdale) Edith Elleen Irvin, 83, died in her sleep Nov. 30, 2009, at the Rocking Chair Inn in Springdale, where she lived for the past two years. She was born Edith Legate on April 13, 1926, in Enid, Okla.
         She married Henry B. Foster in 1947 in New Mexico, where their eight children were born.
         She is preceded in death by Henry B. Foster, by Lonnie Irvin, her husband of 20 years; by daughter Benona Jane Foster; and by siblings Cliff Legate, Cecil Legate, Jim Legate and Helen Boardman.
         She is survived by seven children, 20 grandchildren, and 21 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Children include Lawrence Foster of Niangua, Mo., Steven Foster of Seligman, Mo., Ronald Foster of Fayetteville, Elleen Hutcheson of Cave Springs, Darcy Pattison of North Little Rock, Roderick Foster of Roswell, N.M., and Lezli Foster of Kansas City, Mo.
         Edith earned an Associate of Arts degree from Southwest Bible College, Bolivar, Mo., in 1946. Edith was an accomplished seamstress and designed and crafted many beautiful garments while her children were young.
         She went to back to college at age 52, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas in 1984. She qualified as a registered nurse and practiced until her retirement.
         She lived in Bentonville for several years, where she owned and managed several real estate properties, and started a museum showcasing her jewelry collection. Edith lived a long and happy life and gave thanks every day for her many blessings. Of all her accomplishments, she was most proud of her family.
         Visitation will be from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Rollins Funeral Home in Rogers. Services will be at 2 p.m. Friday also at the Rollins Funeral Home.
  • Last Edited: 11 Feb 2016

Family: Henry Bonneau Foster b. 16 November 1912, d. 9 February 1985