Connie Matthews Foster, 80, died peacefully in her sleep on December 18, 2012, after a brief illness. Born in Corsicana Texas, Connie was the daughter of the late Conrad Lungarrd Matthews, Jr. and Helen Weaver Matthews.

Connie lived for many years in California, a state she loved with all her heart. As a young military wife and mother, she moved from California to South Carolina and retired to Selma, Alabama with her career military (USAF) husband and daughter. In the early 1990s she relocated to Columbia, SC to be close to her daughter and her “children”. She was a devoted homemaker, wife, advocate, mother and friend. She will always be remembered as one who cared for those in need of love, support and encouragement.

Connie was predeceased by her husband of 48 years, Howard Earle Foster, Jr. Surviving are her daughter, Susan Stacey Foster Atkinson of Irmo, her brother-in-law, John (Nina) Foster of Naples, Florida and several loving cousins and nieces. She also leaves behind her beloved cats and several neighborhood raccoons with whom she shared a zest for life and a unique perspective of the world.

The family will have a private burial in the Florence National Cemetery. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials may be made to Connie M. Foster Project Hope Memorial Fund, at Friends of Juvenile Justice, PO Box 3302, Irmo SC 29063.

Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.