Elizabeth Foster Wyngarden
Elizabeth Foster Wyngarden, 81, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024, at Alexian Village Health and Rehabilitation Center in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, after an ongoing battle with cancer.
A celebration of her life will take place at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Signal Mountain, Tennessee, on April 21, at 2 p.m., with Reverend Derrick C. Hill officiating. A reception in the Parish Hall will immediately follow.
Elizabeth “Beth” was born on Jan. 26, 1943, in Taft, Ca., to Elizabeth Meriwether and Richard Foster. Beth’s birth was especially celebrated as she was the first female born into the Foster family in over 100 years. After many years of living on the West Coast, her family longed to be back South and, in 1952, moved to Vicksburg, Mississippi. Beth attended HV Cooper High School in Vicksburg and was a cheerleader for three years. She and her best friend, Carol Olden, both barely five feet tall, were always destined to be at the top of the pyramid. After graduation, Beth attended Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, finishing in 1963. She then went on to the University of Mississippi, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in education in 1965. While at Ole Miss, Beth was a member of Kappa Delta Sorority. In Beth’s senior year, she was honored to be selected as the Kappa Alpha Fraternity Rose.
Beth moved to Atlanta, in 1985, and in 1997, she married H. Dale Wyngarden. They were married for 23 wonderful years, during which time they traveled and enjoyed life with family and friends. Upon his death in 2020, she moved to Signal Mountain, Tn., to be near her daughter.
She was an avid bridge player. Beth and her loyal partner and friend, Jan Jensen, won many games, although she would never describe herself as very good. Her baking skills were legendary, and her sweets were a hit at many Alexian functions.
Beth was blessed with fabulous childhood friends that she maintained throughout her lifetime. She was a lifelong Episcopalian and most recently a member of St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, where she volunteered often - even on the Newcomer’s Committee when she was only a newcomer herself. Her kindness, incredibly sweet nature, and quick smile made everyone feel welcome.
Beth is survived by her former spouse, Lattimore Madison Michael, and their children, Elizabeth Michael Wood (Peter) of Signal Mountain, Tennessee and Lattimore Madison Michael II of Memphis, Tennessee, and her brother Richard “Dick” Foster of Mission Viejo, California. She was a loving stepmother and a devoted grandmother of five grandchildren: Peter Garland Wood III, Foster Coleman Wood, Lattimore Madison Michael III, Zachary Kent Michael, and Williams Madoc Michael. Beth also treasured her role in the lives of her step-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. The impact she had on her family cannot be overstated. Her strength, courage, and resolve carry on with all of us.
The family would like to thank the Alexian Village Healthcare Team for their dedication to Beth during her recent illness and for making her as comfortable as possible in the last days of her life.
The family requests that any donations be made to St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church, 630 Mississippi Ave., Signal Mountain, Tn. 37377, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.