Phyllis Tyley Foster

Phyllis Tyley Foster, longtime missionary to Japan, dies at age 96

Phyllis Tyley Foster, who retired in Pisgah Forest after serving as a missionary with her husband Robert (Bob) in Japan for 44 years, died on April 14 at the Givens Estates retirement community. She was 96.

Phyllis lived a full, adventurous life. She was born and raised in Chicago during the Depression. At age 20, she graduated from college, got married and set off for Japan in 1949 with her newlywed husband with a message of hope and reconciliation for America’s one-time enemy.

They grew to love the Japanese people and culture. All four of their children — Matthew, Laurel, Malcolm and Lisa — were born and raised in Japan. They first lived in Tokyo and then in the northern, less densely populated island of Hokkaido, where they were supported by the United Methodist Church and Robert led a radio evangelism project that broadcast the testimonies and stories of Japanese Christians.

Phyllis was nurturing, gentle, musical, bright and well-read. She regularly read The Economist and frequently sent family members and friends clips of articles. She could have been a college professor but chose instead to be a homemaker — and felt this was a high calling. Phyllis was a selfless person who found joy in facilitating the wishes and needs of her loved ones. She loved to sing and instilled in us an appreciation of hymns.

While she often played a supportive role to Bob’s work, Phyllis felt they were equal partners in ministry, and was emotionally invested in the lives of Japanese Christian friends. They were both sensitive to culture and never tried to impose Western traditions on Japanese individuals or churches, but delighted in believers expressing faith through their own art, poetry and music.

After 44 years in Japan, Phyllis and Robert retired to western North Carolina. It was not an area they had any personal connections to; they liked the climate and beauty, and built a house atop a hill in Pisgah Forest with a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. They were active in Brevard’s First United Methodist Church, in the choir, Bible studies and church newsletter. Bob also taught English as a Second Language part-time at Brevard College for several years, even though he was officially retired.

They enjoyed their home in the woods for 18 years before moving into Givens in Asheville. She was a loving wife even as Bob was beset with dementia, which changed his personality drastically, sometimes in painful ways. They celebrated 70 years of marriage together in 2019, and Bob died a few months later with Mom by his side, softly singing hymns.

Phyllis remained mentally sharp up until just a few weeks before her death. She was rational and organized, and an inveterate note-taker. But she was also deeply empathetic, identifying with her family members’ experiences, whether they were at home or thousands of miles away. She followed the lives of her four children, their spouses and seven grandchildren — and great granddaughter, born a year ago — with great interest and never failed to miss a birthday or anniversary.

A memorial service for Phyllis will be held at the Givens Estates Chapel at 1 pm on Sunday, June 22. Friends are welcome to attend.

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.