Charles Norman Foster

Charles Norman Foster entered into his Heavenly home on Monday, June 23, 2025, after several challenging years of debilitating health issues. He persevered through all of it and never gave up. He was born on August 28, 1952, as the youngest child to William Allen Foster and Dorothy Anderson Foster. Charles was a Mathews, Virginia native, who attended Fork Union Military Academy for two years. Upon his father's death, Charles returned to Mathews and completed his high school education and graduated from Mathews High School in 1970. He graduated from Tidewater Community College, where he studied Automotive Technology. He worked for Twigg Motor Company and Tom Hearn Auto Service in his earlier days, until opening his own automotive business, Pinecroft Auto Service, in 1985, where he also worked as a Virginia State Vehicle Inspector. He served the public until his retirement in 2016.

He owned the building where Diggs School of Dance operated on Maple Avenue. He was a member of the Mathews Ruritan Club and formerly participated in the Oriental Masonic Lodge and Tidewater Shrine Club during his earlier days. Charles served on the Board of Directors for the Middle Peninsula Community Concert Association. He was a member of Mathews Baptist Church for over 50 years, where he served as a Deacon and on numerous committees. He headed up the church sound system for many years. Charles met and married Joan McNeal Faison on September 7, 2003, 4 years after she came on staff at Mathews Baptist Church. Charles and Joan moved their membership to Gwynn's Island Baptist Church, where they co-taught the older children's Sunday School class. Charles also worked with the sound system for worship services and other special events and served as a Deacon.

Charles loved classical music. He enjoyed cooking and creating many of his own delicious dishes. Grilling was always at the top of his list.

He was preceded in death by his father, Allen Foster, and his mother, Dorothy Foster; his Uncle Norman Anderson; his Aunt Grace Shertzer; his Uncle Roland Foster; his Aunt Alice Hope King; and several cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Joan; his brother Bill Foster (Pat); his sister Allie Rudolph; his cousin, Roland Foster III (Peggy); cousin Fleet Foster; his cousin Harry Shertzer (Yvonne); his cousin, Wayne King; his cousin Mac Anderson; his cousin, Beth Anderson; his cousin, Pam Austin; and three stepsons, Stephen Faison (Claire and their children, Caroline, Grace, William and Aiden); Robert Faison; Michael Faison (Elizabeth, and their sons, Oliver and Andrew). Charles will be remembered for being a loyal friend to many and always keeping them in laughter with his great sense of humor.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, July 18, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at Gwynn's Island Baptist Church. Donations may be made to the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 1130, Mathews, Virginia 23109 or the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad, 94 Cricket Hill Road, Hudgins, Virginia 23076. Faulkner Funeral Homes, Foster-Faulkner Chapel is assisting the family.