Lillian Marie Foster

Lillian Marie “Sissy” Gibson Foster was born March 7, 1942, in Pitcher, Oklahoma to Virginia Pauline Hefner and Hubert “Hoot” Eugene Gibson. She passed away February 20, 2022 with her loving husband Loyd at her side in Tulsa, Oklahoma after a long battle with cancer.

Most people in Chelsea knew Lillian by Marie or Sissy. Sissy was baptized as a preteen along with her brother Gene Gibson at a country church near their home in rural Carterville, Mo. Pitcher is where the family lived until her dad returned at the end of World War II. After the war the family bought a farm at Carterville, Missouri. Sissy was educated at the rural school known as “Perseverance” just down the road from the family farm, her upper grades were spent at Carterville High School.

In 1956 she met her first husband Robert “Bob” Halderman who she dated and then the couple took off to Miami in November, 1956 and were married, this union brought two sons Delbert Eugene Halderman and Richard Dean Halderman. Being a very young inexperienced couple, the marriage ended in divorce in 1960.

In 1961 she met and fell in love with her lifelong partner Loyd Foster. They were married November 9, 1961 in Miami, Oklahoma. From this union one child was born Michael Shane Foster.
The Fosters lived in various locations during their 20 years. Loyd was in the Navy, even in Hawaii which Sissy said was a nice place to visit but not live. During Loyd’s long ship duties, Sissy and the boys would move back to Chelsea. In 1975 the family moved home to Chelsea for good.

Sissy was a very talented woman, she was a fantastic seamstress, crocheter and embroider. Her other talents included painting and cake decorating, but most people remember her as a hairdresser like her mother, both loved their patrons and making all the ladies look beautiful. Sissy worked at the Chelsea Beauty Shop for her mom until her mom retired and gave the shop over to her. She moved to her home where she ran the shop for several years and later closed the shop in the late 90’s. After closing the salon, she travelled with Loyd on his trucking routes cross country until he retired and they became homebodies.
Sissy loved spending time with the grandchildren and her children knew it. For a time, the Fosters were foster parents to several different children, it was a tough job but took dedication.
Sissy is preceded in death by her parents; son, Richard Dean Halderman; grandson, Dustine Halderman; daughter-in-law, Kathy Halderman; and brother, Gene Gibson.

Sissy is survived by her loving husband, Loyd Foster; sons, Delbert and wife Tammy Halderman of Chelsea, Michael and wife Charlie of Tulsa; and 10 grandchildren, Ashley Halderman of St. Louis, MO, Chelsea Halderman of Chelsea, OK, Cristal and Shaun Salisbury of Claremore, OK, Cresston Halderman of Vinita, OK, Aime Foster Kisler of Tulsa, OK, Megan Foster of Tulsa, OK, Shelby Foster of Tulsa, OK, Summer Dawson of Tulsa, OK, and Tonia Dawson of Tulsa, OK; two sisters, Bucilla Kay Wright and Ralph of Zena, OK and Valdonna Lockhart and Gary of Chelsea, OK; sister-in-law, Mary Gibson of Pryor, OK; seven nephews, Bill Gibson, Bill, Kenneth, TJ and Darrell Wright, John and Jason Lockhart; one niece, Nola Dawn Gibson; hordes of great nieces and nephews; and a large group of cousins of whom she loved all.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made in Marie/Sissy’s name to:
Chelsea Animal Shelter C/O Chelsea Vet Clinic, P.O. Box 129, Chelsea, OK 74016
-Or-
Boys & Girls Club of Chelsea, P.O. Box 81, Chelsea, OK 74016