Arneda Mae Foster was born on December 13, 1945, the second of two girls born to the union of Tom Wright and Arneda Wright, in Kansas City, Missouri. Arneda was preceded in death by both parents.

Arneda accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized by the late Reverend I. H. Henderson, Jr. at Friendship Baptist Church of Kansas City, Missouri, where she remained a strong and dutiful member until her death.  As a long time and faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church for 69 years, Arneda participated in a variety of Christian ministries. These included, but were not limited to: Deaconess, Church Nurses, The Reuben Sheepfold, Senior Adults, Jr. Usher Board - Instructor, and Usher Board - Group 2.

Arneda received her early formal education from Saint Monica Catholic School, George Washington Carver, and D.A. Holmes, all of Kansas City, Missouri.  She then attended high school at Central High School of Kansas City, Missouri, graduating in 1963. Arneda continued her education at Metropolitan Community College of Kansas City, Missouri, later transferring to The University of Missouri - Columbia in Columbia, Missouri.  On May 21, 1966, while at The University Of Missouri - Columbia, Arneda and eleven other ladies (The D-Dynamic Delta Dozen), were initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Thus chartering the Epsilon Psi chapter. In 1968, Arneda received her Bachelor's of Science Degree from The College of Nursing at The University of Missouri - Columbia, with honors.

In December 1968, Arneda united with her childhood friend, life-companion, and love James Foster.  God blessed this union with two daughters; Janeda Marie and Lora Lynn.

Arneda loved helping people.  She was employed at several medical facilities throughout the Kansas City, Missouri area, as a registered nurse.  Her longest tenure of 31 years was at The Veterans Administration Medical Center. During this time, she held various leadership positions including Head Administrative Nurse of the Orthopedic Department and later the Mental Health Wards.

In 1979, while actively working in the medical field, Arneda decided to join and serve her country in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.  While in the Army Reserve, she became the first African American Female to serve as a Colonel Medical Reservist in the state of Missouri.  After completing her sworn duty, Colonel Arneda Mae Foster retired from the United States Army on December 13, 2005.

After 31 years of employment at the Veterans Administration Medical Center Arneda retired.  Her attempts at retirement did not last long!  During her retirement, she realized that she truly missed the nursing profession.  After only a few months, she returned to the medical field as a registered nurse at St. Luke's Hospital of Kansas City, Missouri and Truman Medical Center- Lakewood of Lee's Summit, Missouri.  In 2010, Arneda retired from the medical field a second time.

Arneda spent her remaining years enjoying time and traveling the world with her husband, children, grandkids, and big sister, Thomasine Evelyn.

On Thursday, May 26, Arneda answered her heavenly call and made her transition from labor to reward.

Arneda Mae leaves to cherish her memory, a forever devoted and loving husband of 53 years, James Foster; two daughters: Janeda (Victor) Oliver of Buford, Georgia; Lora Lynn Ledbetter of Kansas City, Missouri; three grandchildren: Sherelle Patrice Ledbetter of Kansas City, Missouri; Sheldon (Janie) Ledbetter Jr. of Omaha, Nebraska; Elijah James Oliver of Buford, Georgia; one great-granddaughter, Sophia Lynn Ledbetter of Omaha, Nebraska; one loving sister Thomasine Evelyn Long of Kansas City, Missouri; special friends: Delphia Turner of Dallas, Texas; Judith Williams of Kansas City, Missouri; and a host of loved in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and the Friendship Baptist Church family.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Foster will be held Monday, June 6, 2022 at 10:00AM at Friendship Baptist Church.  Burial Leavenworth National Cemetery.  Friends may call from 8:30AM until service time at the church.

Thoughtful care and services handled by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.