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Melrita Anderson Foster entered Heaven on August 31, 2024, after 81 years of life. Born in Ada, OK to Melvin Anderson and Helen Morrison Anderson, younger sister to Sidney Anderson. Raised by OSU alumni educators, Rita graduated Emporia High School in 1960 and earned a B.A. in Music at OSU. She married George Edward Foster, son of Arthur Morgan Foster and Carolyn Camp Foster, classmates of her parents at OSU. George and Rita kissed on their 60th wedding anniversary, days before her passing.

In Houston, they gave birth to their first child, Helen Kathleen Foster. They were blessed with their second child Calvin Morgan Foster during George's Air Force assignment in Maine. In Bristow, two more blessings -- Rhanda Susan Foster and Tol Anderson Foster. Rita raised the four children as a music teacher and choir director at the First United Methodist Church and Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) President.  A musician, composer, and theologian, Rita developed her skills as an organist and completed a Masters in Church Music at ORU, writing many original songs and playing Bach and Chopin and on her Steinway piano.

After the tragic loss of Rhanda in a car accident her freshman year at OSU, Rita assisted George in his work as the Dean of the College of Optometry at NSU. Rita sited, purchased, and designed their home overlooking the Illinois river, creating a place of fellowship for friends and designating a place of prayer at ''Rita's Rock.''

''First, and alway, Praise.'' An active member of the Harvest Church Broken Arrow women's prayer group, she exhibited service with an attitude of joy and praise despite a long battle with rheumatoid arthritis that never defeated her spirit of love and compassion.

Rita is survived by her husband George, her daughter Dr. Kathleen Spurgeon and husband Michael, Rear Admiral Calvin Foster and his wife Nicole Berteaux Foster and Dr. Tol Foster and his wife Dr. Minjung Ryu and her brother Sid Anderson and his wife Judy. Seven Grandchildren; David, Trenton, Elizabeth and Caleb Foster, Joshua and Avery Elliott and Arwyn Foster.  She was preceded in death by her parents, one daughter, Rhanda Foster and son-in-law, Brian Elliott.

Following a viewing on Sunday, a memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM, Monday September 9th at Bristow First United Methodist Church followed by internment in Bristow City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Bristow First United Methodist Church, Arthritis Foundation and NSU-OCO.