Johnnie was born on June 3, 1933 to the parents of Jesse Vaughn and Velma Foster in Parkdale, AR. After Johnnie's mother passed when she was six months old, she was raised by her grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Foster in Portland, AR. While in the Portland/Parkdale area, she attended public school in Parkdale, AR. She attended church in the Portland/Parkdale area and accepted Christ at an early age.
After the birth of her daughter (Deborah) and son (Lannell), she later met and married Leroy McDaniel in approximately 1952. To this union, one son (Percy) was born in Portland, AR.
Johnnie and her family relocated to Sacramento, CA in approximately 1954, which is when she started her career as a domestic engineer. Her primary responsibilities included organizing the house, doing the laundry, cleaning, cooking, servicing meals, organizing activities, teaching her son various abilities and notions, balancing budgets, and getting Percy to school and to various appointments. She was so good at her craft that she used some of her skills and worked for several doctors and other prominent people throughout the Sacramento area.
Johnnie met and married her soulmate, Wallace E. Foster, on January 14, 1963 in Sacramento, CA. Over the years, she and Wallace enjoyed attending the annual Sacramento blues festival, going to various danc-es, enjoying dinner out, etc. After 43 years together, on September 22, 2006 Wallace gained his wings.
As Pastor Gary Young shared, "Mother Johnnie Lee Foster joined New Hope Baptist Church in 2003. At the time of her joining, she was caring for her ailing husband. Mother Foster, a diminutive woman, exhibit-ed great strength and resolve at the transitioning of her husband. She reflected a great trust in God and a dependence on Him as she walked through her valley of lost and sorrow. She always had a smile and a kind word for everyone. Mother Foster has been a faithful member of church worship services until health challenges early this year prevented her from attending."
Johnnie always focused on her late husband, children, grandchildren and family who lived near and far. She also enjoyed cooking large meals for her family. She made it a point to attend family reunions all across the country. In addition to spending time shopping at her favorites stores, she enjoyed telling family stories about her famous uncle, Willie 'Dude' Vaughn of St. Louis, MO who had a post office dedicated in his name in Parksdale, AR for being a church, civic, and community leader. She also mentioned her cousin Danny Davis, who is a Congressman for the State of Illinois.
Johnnie gained her wings on Friday morning, May 1, 2020. She leaves to cherish her many memories one daughter, Deborah Robinson (Archie Sr.), two sons, Lannell Hunney, Percy L. McDaniel; five grandchil-dren, Kendra, Kim, Archie, Jr., Latasha and Gabrielle; 15 great grandchildren; a host of relatives and long-time friends, and a special friend, Joyce Summerville McDaniel. Johnnie truly will be missed by everyone who came in contact with her.