RICHMOND—Merritt Woodhull Foster III, 73, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2024.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Merritt W. Foster Jr. and Mary Nolde Foster.
He is survived by his 11 first cousins, Katherine Foster Muller (John), Nancy Foster Bennett (Frank), Robert Dixon Foster, Mary McKenney Easterling (Bill), Helen McKenney Ilnicky (Scott), Manley Caldwell Butler Jr, Henry Nolde Butler (Paige), Marshall Whitfield Butler, Christie Foster Horn (Dick), Sharon Foster O’Connor (Tom), Heidi Foster Rowe (Darrell) and their families.
Merritt was graduated from The Collegiate Schools, attended The College of William and Mary, and was graduated from Campbell University.
He spent his career with the United States Postal Service working in an administrative capacity.
Everyone who had the pleasure of spending time with Merritt will have memories to carry forward of the energetic, colorful and often cheeky way he embraced life.
Merritt loved music (especially classic girl groups like Diana Ross and the Supremes), combing estate sales and antique shops for eclectic home furnishings, his beloved Irvington, wearing vibrant shirts and Vans sneakers, his Nolde and Foster family histories, and above all, his family. When his father passed away in 2009, Merritt devoted himself to spending time with his mother and looking out for her wellbeing until she passed away in 2018. He will be dearly missed by family and friends.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. graveside at Hollywood Cemetery on Friday, August 23. All are welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Merritt’s memory to The Animal Welfare League Inc., 75 South Main Street, Kilmarnock, VA 22482.
Merritt requested no photo for his obituary, and his family reluctantly respected his wishes.
