Chattanooga Says Goodbye to Beloved Educator Mary Michael Beaumont Foster
Chattanooga, TN – It’s with heavy hearts that we receive the news of the passing of Mary Michael Beaumont Foster, who left us on Saturday, November 2, 2024, in the comfort of her home. Born on July 26, 1947, to Charles Houston and Jessie Beaumont, Mary Michael was the middle child in a lively family of three.
Mary Michael’s roots run deep in the picturesque landscapes of Tennessee. Growing up on both Lookout Mountain and in the charming town of Sewanee, she embraced a life full of learning and love. After graduating from St. Mary’s School in Sewanee, she went on to pursue higher education at the University of Tennessee, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1972.
Career and Impact
Throughout her career, Mary Michael made a lasting impact on countless students, starting her teaching career at Tate’s School in Knoxville shortly after her graduation. In 1981, she took the initiative to establish the preschool at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church, a move that set the foundation for young minds to thrive. Many remember her dedicated years at the Chattanooga School for Liberal Arts, where she continued to inspire students until her retirement in 2013.
Even after stepping away from the classroom, her passion for teaching never faded. Mary Michael volunteered as a reading specialist, eager to share her love for literature and learning with the next generation of students who walked through the school’s doors.
Family and Friends Remember Her Fondly
Mary Michael is survived by her loving family, including her children Matthew (Jennifer) Foster of Birmingham, Adam (Julie) Foster of Atlanta, and Caroline Foster along with Raul Hidalgo of Chattanooga. She was a proud grandmother to Mills and Hayes Foster, as well as Ellie and Molly Foster. She had wonderful support from family members like her sister-in-law, Margaret Zucker, and brother-in-law, Norman Smith, along with a myriad of cherished nieces and nephews.
Throughout her life, Mary Michael was surrounded by wonderful friends and devoted caregivers, such as Vickie and Ken Trapp, Nita and Don Kilpatrick, Marilyn Chapman, and Randy and Deanie Carver, all of whom played a role in her life. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Amber Brandt from Hearth Hospice and Jessica Potts, whose compassionate care meant so much during this time.
Funeral Arrangements
For those wishing to pay their respects, funeral services will be held at noon on Wednesday, November 6, at St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Church in Chattanooga, followed by a burial at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Family and friends can gather for visitation on Tuesday, November 5, from 4-7 PM at Heritage Funeral Home, located at 7454 E Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.
A Legacy of Learning
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the St. Martin of Tours Episcopal Preschool in Mary Michael’s memory. She loved nurturing young minds and pouring her passion for learning into the lives of students, so this is a fitting tribute to her legacy.
As we reflect on the life of Mary Michael, we remember her unwavering spirit, dedication to education, and the warmth she shared with everyone around her. As Jessie Berry Beaumont once penned, “It is the autumn of my life, ’tis mid September; and there are so many things I must remember,” reminding us all to cherish the memories we’ve made and the loved ones in our lives.
To post tributes and share precious memories of Mary Michael, please visit her online obituary. Her beautiful spirit will be forever missed by her community and all who had the privilege of knowing her.
