Valleria Wilks Foster was born September 14th, 1929 in Whelen Springs Arkansas, and was the only child born to Austin and Leona Wilks. She was affectionately known by family and friends as Mama "B", a moniker that arose out of the grandchildren's inability to pronounce the letter V in Valleria.

In 1945 she moved from Washington, D.C. to Akron, Ohio, where she met and in 1946 later married Dillard Foster. From that union was born four children; daughters Griselda and Renae, and sons Delanor and Steven.

Valleria worked as a domestic worker for over ten years for the Thornton family of Fairlawn, Ohio. She later worked as a Homemaker Supervisor for the Summit County Department of Jobs and Family Services (JFS). Additional service to the community included functioning as a Room Mother for Akron Public Schools for more than 10 years, and as an Assistant Den Mother for the West Akron branch of the Cub Scouts of America for five years.

A dedicated Christian, Valleria was a longtime faithful member of the Akron Bethel Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church, part of the Allegheny West Conference (AWC) which serves Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Northern Virginia. For over 50 years she served with distinction as a faithful worker in every department of the church. She was a member of the Akron Bethel Ladies Club, and loving to sing God's praises, she was also a member of the Senior and Ensemble choirs.

As Superintendent of Sabbath School she fostered innovation, and with the help of her staff elevated and expanded the duties and responsibilities of numerous programs and events. A few of the most consequential events impacted by her service included: - 1. Community Guest Day which was expanded to include not only state and local community leaders, but friends, family, guests, and a myriad of diverse visitors encountered along the highways and byways of life. – 2. Vacation Bible School, which was not only held inside the church, but in the early years was held inside the shelter house located at the Akron Metropolitan Zoo with hundreds of children in attendance. – 3. Activities such as Sabbath School Workshops, 13th Sabbath Programs, Sabbath School Breakfasts, church picnics and Camp Retreats which all flourished under her administration.

As Social and Recreation Director, she along with her staff introduced Inter-league basketball play for children of all ages, inspired the formation/organization of Jr. Varsity and Varsity Cheerleading squads, and provided half-time refreshment and entertainment at basketball games as well as end of season award programs and trophy presentations. She was one of the architects and co-founder of the AWC Basketball League, and later became the first female Commissioner/Treasurer of the league, a notable achievement.

Valleria's love for flowers inspired her to serve as Hospitality/Decoration Director for the church. It was her dream as well as the dream of those who worked along side her that the church of the living God become a place of beauty and splendor. They spent countless hours, days, and months beautifying the church with flowers and other decorative embellishments, and God allowed their dream to become a living reality. The Lord also answered their additional prayer ensuring that every church member receive flowers at the homegoing celebration of their loved ones.

Endowed with an infectious smile, Mama B had a unique gift of making her family and others feel special, and to her they were indeed "extremely" special. Blessed with the gift of imagination and her unshakeable faith in God, no task, trial or tribulation appeared to be impossible to overcome. Whenever people would say "Why?", she would answer, "Why not?". She saw in her family and others not what they were, but what they could become – candidates for the kingdom of heaven.

Valleria was preceded in death by her husband Dillard Foster, son Steven Foster, daughter Renae Foster Jordan, and parents Austin and Leona Wilks.

She leaves to cherish her memory daughter Griselda Foster Gardner and son Delanor Foster (Charlotte), grandchildren Marcus Foster, Marcinia Foster Carrigan, Delanor M. Foster, Arian Foster, Daanan Foster, Julian Foster, Kimarie Foster, Steven Foster, Stephanie Allgood, Romondo Foster, Selena Foster, Serita Foster, Tiffany Foster McDuffie, Tracy Jordan, Victor Edwards, and a host of great and great-great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Mama B was a Jewel and an angel sent by God, and we were all blessed to have experienced her for 95 years! The family prays that whether in ways large or small, however you were touched by the life of Valleria Foster, that you will continue in her giant legacy, and keep the memories of her in your hearts while we all wait to hear the words of our Savior, "Well Done"