Nannie "Nan" Leona (Proffitt) Foster

Nannie “Nan” Leona Proffitt Foster, age 96, of Erwin, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on Sunday, May 04, 2025. She was a native of Greeneville, Tennessee and daughter of the late David Wesley Proffitt and Lucy Tipton Proffitt. Nan lived most of her life in Erwin.

She was a faithful Christian and a member of Coffee Ridge Baptist Church. Nan was a homemaker who took excellent care of her home and her family.

She loved to sew, and she made beautiful quilts. Nan was an excellent cook. Her family enjoyed eating all her homemade Christmas goodies which she made especially for them every year.

Nan was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, great-great grandmother, sister and friend. Her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren meant the world to her. Nan liked to talk on the phone with her family and friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Vanas Foster in 1983; her son, Dean Foster; two grandsons: David Foster and Gerald Foster; three daughters-in-law: Verna, Madalyn, and Kathy Foster; five brothers and five sisters.

Nan leaves behind to cherish many wonderful memories, her two sons: David Pierson Foster, Sr. of Erwin, and James Dale Foster (Tana) of Unicoi; six grandchildren: Robin Bowman (Tom), Tracy Foster, Diana Willis (Steve), John Foster, James Foster, II, and Joe Foster (Natasha); six great grandchildren: Madison Willis, Hannah Bowman, Kayla Bowman, Kyndall Foster, Braden Hyder, and Brenden Hyder; one great-great granddaughter, Leona Foster; sister-in-law, Polly Proffitt of Jonesborough; three step grandchildren; five step great grandsons; numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

The Foster family will receive friends on Thursday, May 08, 2025, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home and other times at her son, Pierson’s residence, 1126 Cross Drive, Erwin. Reverend Roger Laws and Reverend Terry Richardson will officiate the 7:00 p.m. funeral service. Music will be provided by Allan Foster, Sue Story and Valerie Barcel. Committal will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday in Roselawn Memory Gardens. Grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Those wishing to attend Nan’s committal are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:50 a.m. on Friday.  

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Foster family at www.ledfordfuneralhomes.com. 

Robert Ledford Funeral Home, 720 Ohio Avenue, Erwin, is privileged to serve the Foster family. (423) 743-1380

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