Emmaline Lorene Foster

Emmaline Lorene (Moody) Foster was born on June 5, 1925 south of Vilas, Colorado. She was the 5th of seven children of john Estle and Margaret Ann (Lunsford) Moody. She left this life on January 14, 2011 at the age of 85 years and 7 months. Emmaline attended school at Vilas and Springfield, Colorado. She experienced the dust bowl days and she talked about the dirt rolling in and how much the dirt blew. She talked about the tornado that came up one time when they were living in a rock house. They blocked all the windows up for protection and the tornado picked the roof up off the house and set it back down, but not in the right place. The family had to live in an uncle's chicken coup until the roof was fixed. Her baby brother "Boots" was born while they were living in tnat chicken coup. She would tell about picking up cow chips for fuel since Baca County isn't known for it's trees. After her only sister married, Emmaline at the age of 9 or 10) was in charge of taking care of the house; cooking, cleaning, carring water, washing clothes on the washboard and whatever else was needed, since her mamma was ill. Emmaline and Anna Marie Standlea (one of her dear life long friends) would tell the story about the goat that chased them and then it fell in a hole and they were saved from that they thought was certain death. Emmaline was always proud of the fact that she completed school through the 8th grade (more than any of her siblings) but always wished she could have gone further. Emmaline met Reubin Russell Close in 1941 when he came from Wetumka, Oklahome to the Springfield area to work in the Civilian Conservation Corps. A guy Reubin was working with set his sights on Emmaline, but Reubin said no way was that going to happen because he was gong to go out with her. Reubin was successful in courting Emmaline and winning her 16 year old heart. Reubin and Emmaline were married on July 17, 1941 in Boise City, Oklahoma. They had 5 babies in six years. Sadly two of their babies died at bith. Their first baby, William was born in Wetumka, Oklahoma and the other four children were born in Springfield, Colorado. Reubin worked for Vernon Hanna of Springfield as a farm hand. Emmaline always said that Reubin worked very, very hard, but that he also played as hard as he worked, as if he know he had a short time on this earth to get his living done. In the fall of 1954 when the farm work was caught up, Reubin went to Texas to pick cotton for extra miney. He was tragically killed in a car wreck on October 17, 1954 near Memphis, Texas at the age of 33. As a 29 year old widow, with three young children to support, Emmaline worked at the Nortside Laundry, then at the Ritz Cafe. It was while she was working at the Ritz Cafe that she met Henry "Hank" Foster of Keyes, Oklahoma. After two weeks of courtship, Hank asked Emmaline to marry him. They were married in Raton, New Mexico, on October 18, 1958 with her three children present. After the children went back to school, Vernon told his teacher; "We married us a new Daddy." Hank lived up to that statement and became an instant daddy to Bill, Gail, and Vernon. This new family spent many hours hunting a variety of things; rocks, arrowheads, pheasant, rattlesnakes, geese, rabbits, pigeons, deer and more. Hank also seemed to find and bring home all kinds of wild animals such as a baby badger, baby rabbits, baby owls, and a den of coyote pups, all of which were brought temporartily into the house, as well as new calves and baby piglets when it was too cold for them outside. Emmaline took it all in stride and enjoyed it all and of course the children loved it. And then there was fishing! Hank loved to fish and by assimilation so did Emmaline. It was during all of these times that many lessons were learned and a new family was forged. Emmaline tucked all these memories in her heart and spoke of them often over the years with laughter and with tearts. She was always so thankful to the "Good Lord" for sending her such a good husband and a good father for her children. Emmaline loved her new in-laws and they immediately loved her. Just 14 months later, Emmaline's new mother-in-law, Vida, passed away from cancer. Emmaline had lovingly helped care for her while taking care of her own family. Emmaline also helped care for her step-mother, who also passed with cancer an year later. Hank was an accomplished musician, who loved to play the guitar and he was a member of various local bands over the years. After he and Emmaline married, whenever he played for a dance, Emmaline was always there with him, providing support. While living in Keyes, Hank and Emmaline were active in the Keyes Steppers square dance club. Hank was a member of the Odd Fellows and Emmaline a member of the Rebekahs. After the children were grown Emmaline worked at various jobs. She worked in the Dietary Dept. of the Cimmeron Memorial Hospital in Boise City, Oklahoma; at The Cove in Keyes, Oklahoma; and in Springfield at J's Motel and in the Housekeeping Department of the Southeast Colorado hospital LTCC. Emaline was always a tiny lady and most of the time was lucky to weigh 98 lbs., socking wet. Hank used to say that if she got over 100 lbs. he would divorce her. He saidn that when she finally told him she was over a 100 lbs. it was on a week-end and he couldn't find a lawyer. Hank's love for fishing finally led hm and Emmaline to run a bait and tackle shop in Hasty, Colorado. Again, Emmaline was beside him in another adventure being a helpmate and support. Emmaline had such a helping nature that more than once when Hank teasingly said; "Would you go pee for me?" Emmaline was out of her chair heading to the restroom before she realized she could not help that. Most of Hank's hobbies were her hobbies and the two of them spent many hours together making belt buckles, string ties, jewelry, clocks, paperweights, tables and anything else they could think up to create. They collected and sold aluminum cans and spent many an hour smashing them with their homemade can smasher so they were easier to transport. They both loved people and made friend wherever they went. Anyone who know them, knew that they were welcome in Hank and Emmaline's home and that the coffee pot was always on. Emmaline was quick to offer and get you a cup of coffee or some iced tea anytime you sat down at her kitchen table. Gail remembers that her Momma would bake up apple pies and stick them in the freezer so she could have them handy when someone droped by. There were many, many pitch, canasta, pinochle, and Forty-two games played around their kitchen table with friends and family. Emmaline loved to play solitarie in her spare time. She wore the numbers off many of deck of cards while sitting at her kitchen table, drinking coffee and smoking her cigarettes. Before her eyesight failed her, Emmaline occasionally enjoyed reading westerns. Emmaline's upbringing was in the Friends Church; as her father was a Friends minister. Emmaline came to know Jesus as her personal Savior as a young girl. The Bible scriptures and songs she learned as a child were her solace throughtout her whole life. Emmaline learnd early in life to be a giver and to help others. She did it without thought of getting anything in return. Helping others was as naturel to her as breathing. Emmaline's generous, kind and loving heart led her to help and to take in, many neices, nephews, friends, and loved ones over the years. Emmaline was left a widow a second time at Hank's sudden passing on December 17, 1997. After Hank's passing Emmaline joined The Good Samaritan Prayer group that met at Springfield West. Emmaline had known most of the ladies for many years and since she could no longer drive, it was usually her dear friends Ann Standlea or Florence Mason who came by to make sure she had a ride. She enjoyed the time in fellowship with her prayer group. In the later years of her life, the Springfield Church of God became her church home and her church family was very special to her. Emmaline's family meant everything to her. her face lit up anytine she talked about them. She delighted in all of her grandchildren and missed them terrible and wherever they were, she always asked about them. She would always say, tell them Grandma loves them. She would tell her falily; "You don't know how much I love you." In 2004, after a light stroke and failing eyesight Emmaline made Southeast Colorado Hospital Long Term Care Center her new home. After years of helping others, it was time for others to help her, which didn't come easy for her. Emmaline made new friends and renewed old friendships while in her hew home. She appreciated all of her caregivers and everything that was done for her. She was always quick to say "Thank you" to enyone who helped her. She was so appreciative of all theose who took her out to the patio to smoke, hepled her ith her oxygen and all those "Spcial" cups of coffee. She slways spoke highly of everyone who took care of her and wold say "There sure are a great bunch of people working here." The Lord called Emmaline home on Friday morning, January 14, 2011. Emmaline was preceded in death by her parents, John Estle and Margaret Moody; her husbands, Reubin Close and Henry Foater; two infant children, Wanda Lorene and Richard Leroy; one son, William Russell Close; one daughter-in-law Carol Close; four brothers; Clyde Moody, Claude Moody, Calvin Moody, and Earl Moody; her only sister Eunice "Goldie" Martin; and several sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law. Emmaline is survived by her daughter Abigail (John) Carson of Mannford, OK and her son, Vernon(Kathryn) Close of Springfield, CO. She is also survived by six grandchildren: William "Rusty" (Crystal) Close of Oklahoma City, OK; Jodi (Jimmy) Edwards of Sand Springs, OK; John "Buddy" (Christina) Carson of Tulsa, OK; Reubin (Robin) Close of Diamond, OH; Aaron (Tara) Close of Katy, TX; Latitia (Johnny) Arens of Commerce City, CO; and one brother, Estle Boots" (Vera) Moody of Sringfield, CO. She is also survived by 16 great-grnadchildren: Blake Close, Jimmy Edwards Jr., Jessy Edwards, John Tyler Carson, Tayler Carson, Brianna Stratton, Paul Stratton, Dedota Stratton, Robert "Rob" Collopy, Kaylan Close, Oran Close, Micah Close, Reubin Close, Kelly Macias, T. J. Arens, and Jaden Arens. Also surviving are a host of neices, nephews and dear friends.