C. RAY FOSTER, 70, of the Poplar Creek section of Grundy, VA, went home to be with the Lord, on his birthday, Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Abingdon, VA. Born in Grundy, VA, he was the son of the late Kenneth Ervin and Verna Lou (Collins) Foster. He was a lifelong resident of Buchanan County and a faithful member of Harman Freewill Baptist Church. Ray proudly served as Sheriff of Buchanan County for 16 years. He loved his job and he loved the people of Buchanan County that he served. His employees became his family. He never asked any of his deputies to do anything he wouldn’t do himself. He was a people person and introduced himself saying “I’m just Ray.”
He was hardworking, honest and straightforward, and you never had to wonder what he was thinking. He told you exactly what was on his mind. Before becoming Sheriff, he was an employee of United Coal Company and the Grundy Town Police. Ray enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading westerns, golfing and loved his family above all. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father and mother-in-law: Caral Daugherty and Mary Madeline (Stiltner) Daugherty; Sister: Judy Carol (Foster) Ramey; brother-in-law: Tommy Caral Daugherty.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 49 years, Debbie Jean (Daugherty) Foster; his daughter, Crystal Leann Foster (Stanley) McCoy; Grandchildren: Amelia Rae McCoy, Keisha (Justin) Blair, Brittany (Nick) Moore, Adam (Sarah) McCoy; Great-Grandchildren: Bennett “Little Man” Moore, Asher McCoy, Walker McCoy, Madison Blair, Bella Blair, Connor Blair, Willow Blair and Ellie Blair; Nephews: Wayne (Brandi) Winchester, Shane Asbury, Shannon Asbury; Great-Nephew: Noah Winchester; K-9 Companion: Minnie Foster.
Visitation was held at the Grundy High School Gymnasium Friday evening at 6:00 P.M. with Masonic Rites by members of Sandy Valley Lodge No. 17, AF&AM at 7:00 P.M.
Funeral Services for C. RAY FOSTER were conducted Saturday, August 29, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at the Grundy High School Gymnasium with Pastors Eddie Wilson and Rodney Stiltner officiating. Burial followed in the Stiltner Cemetery on Poplar Creek, Grundy, VA.
Active Pallbearers were Raymond Webb, Billy Owens, Chris Sparks, Wes McCoy, Eddie Stiltner and J.R. Stanley.
Honorary Pallbearers were Johnny Billiter, Brad Calhoun, Joe Stephens, Landon Hurley, Mike Lester, Doug Baker, Haley, Amber and Anna at Mountain Air Medical Clinic and the Employees of Special Care Hospice and Home Health.
Grundy Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of C. RAY FOSTER.
