Merwin Edsel Foard, Sr.

Merwin Edsel Foard, Sr. passed away on Monday, October 14, 2019, with his loving daughter, Jeana, by his side. He was born on June 15, 1931 to Elmore Lee and Ethel Naomi Foard of Charlotte, NC. Merwin is a member of Midwood Baptist Church, Charlotte. Merwin retired as Operations Manager from Southern Bell Telephone & Telegraph Company and AT&T on June 30, 1984, after 35 years of service. He began his employment with the phone company as a lineman, digging holes to place phone poles, and climbing poles to secure cables and phone wiring. After an internal training opportunity, he was eligible for a customer service/sales position, and continued successfully working his way up through the organization. Merwin received many letters of commendation from customers and supervisors alike with regard to his character and devout work ethic. Upon his retirement as Operations Manager, Merwin was responsible for managing the work of all operations employees within both North and South Carolina. Soon after retiring, Merwin fulfilled his dream of owning and managing a restaurant. Merwin operated two successful Western Steer Family Steakhouse restaurants, the first in Lancaster, SC (his wife's hometown), which he opened, owned, and operated for ten years. In time, he was asked by the restaurant company's founder to simultaneously manage an existing Western Steer Family Steakhouse, Merwin's second restaurant, in Lowell, NC. Later, he converted the Lancaster Western Steer Steakhouse into a popular "Happy Days Grill" with Karaoke entertainment. Merwin also owned and operated Carolinas Steel and Foam Boat Dock Company, and built several boat docks for clients in the Lake Norman area. With his boundless energy and soaring ambition, he formed and managed another company, Foard Vending Company, which delighted children of all ages as they were able to choose from an assortment of toys that filled the machines placed in restaurants throughout the Carolinas. For more than 50 years Merwin served as Minister of Music in several churches leading choirs and congregations. His beautiful, rich bass voice was in constant demand, and he sang as soloist in the Charlotte Opera Association, at many weddings, funerals, and special events. With his Irish heritage Merwin was very self-motivated and wanted others around him to be motivated as well. He frequently inquired, "What are you accomplishing today? You can't stand still, you must move forward." To the choir he advised, "You cannot fire … ready … aim … you must first be ready." Additionally, with regard to Merwin's personal and business relationships, he would say, "I do not accept an evaluation of a person from someone else's perspective, I evaluate a person by my own association with them." Merwin graduated from Charlotte College, now UNCC, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Merwin and his pal, Bill Reid, were known as "Bonnie's Boys" (Ms. Bonnie E. Cone). As President of Charlotte College's Alumni Association, Merwin worked alongside Ms. Cone as she assisted Charlotte city officials to seek out the proper land placement upon which the University of North Carolina at Charlotte would be later built and established. Merwin's daughter, Jeana, also attended UNCC and graduated from there in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, and two minors in communication studies. Merwin served a tour of duty in the US Army and was stationed in Korea. In his "off time" he directed a Korean Choir. Merwin trained for army combat, but when one of his commanding officers heard him sing in a quartet comprised of other military servicemen, and because of his strong Christian faith, Merwin was reassigned to work as the chaplain's assistant. He led the music during all four daily worship services aboard the USNS General Simon B. Buckner across the Pacific to and from Korea. In recent years, Merwin was especially proud to be instrumental in the building of the North Carolina Korean War Memorial in Veterans Memorial Park, Mint Hill, NC. Engraved pavers with his grandchildren's names were placed at the memorial in Merwin's honor. Merwin served as President of The Hornets Nest Telephone Pioneers of America, was a member of the Executives Association of Greater Charlotte, The United Way, and the Chamber of Commerce. In the 1970's he was a District Commissioner of the Boy Scouts of America. He earned the Thirty-Second Degree in the Masonic Organization where he directed the Scottish Rite Chanter Choir, with Wendell Cunningham, his late cousin, who was like a brother, at the piano. In the early 1950's Merwin met the love of his life, "his Betty Jean" who performed a tap dance routine at a Telephone Company sponsored event called "The Telephone Follies." Merwin was the featured soloist singing "Old Man River" which was his signature song and a favorite of many. Merwin and Betty Jean Thompson were united in marriage in 1957 at Myers Park United Methodist Church, Charlotte, where they were members and both sang in the choir under the direction of the late Mr. Eugene Crafts, and later, the late Mr. Walter Ball. Merwin is the father of one son, Merwin E. Foard, Jr., whose singing and acting have entertained Broadway audiences as well as Disney film lovers for over 35 years, and one daughter, Jeana Lynn Foard Stewart, who has worked in corporate sales, taught children, and now serves in ministry at her church as preschool director. Merwin treasured his children and grandchildren. Merwin is survived by his wife, Betty; son, Merwin; daughter, Jeana (Robert); granddaughters Phoebe Adelia Foard and Bailey Jean Foard of NY; grandsons Ryan Laine Stewart and Robert Landon Stewart of Waxhaw, NC. Sisters: Ellen Foard Leitch of Oakhurst, CA and Norma Foard Alexander of Kannapolis, NC. Nephews: John Leitch (Dorothy), James Kelly Leitch II, and Gary Ferreira (Mary). Nieces: Linda Ferreira Ferrell (Ralph), The Reverend Dr. Laura Alexander Elliott, Paige Gant (Deric), Jill Rossi (Greg), and many great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Sisters-in-law: Carlene T. Kiser of Atlanta, GA; Mary T. Harper of Murrells Inlet, SC; and Linda T. Arruza (Andrew) of Bluffton, SC. Merwin is predeceased by his parents; one sister and brother-in-law, Carol Foard and Jake Ferreira; brother Hugh Weldon Foard; brothers-in-law Bill Alexander and James K. Leitch; nephew Scott Alexander. A Memorial Service will be held at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, Mint Hill, NC on Sunday, October 27 at 2:00. Philadelphia Presbyterian Church is the location of the Foard family's annual reunion. The immediate Family would like to thank the NOVANT Health Presbyterian Medical Center, Charlotte, NC; the PruittHealth - Union Pointe Rehabilitation Center, Monroe, NC; the NOVANT Health Matthews Medical Center, Matthews, NC; and the NOVANT Matthews Hospice Medical Center for their wonderful care. Merwin's family loves him with an everlasting love. May his soul rest in eternal peace with no more pain. "By His stripes we are healed," Isaiah 53:5. Memorials may be made to Midwood Baptist Church, 2029 Mecklenburg Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205. Memorial Sunday, October 27, 2019 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM Philadelphia Presbyterian Church 11501 Bain School Rd Mint Hill NC 28277 United States (704) 545-6172