Ethel Marie Dean Fulford

Ethel Marie Dean Fulford, 102 of Fairhope, AL, and formerly of Tomnolen, MS, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 30, 2025, at University of South Alabama Hospital in Mobile, AL surrounded by her family. Ethel was born on November 23, 1922, in Choctaw County, Mississippi. She was the youngest of 14 children born to Lara Lee Omie Bright Dean and Jim Thomas Dean. In 1941, Ethel graduated from Chester High School in Chester, MS. She not only excelled in her studies while in high school but was also an exceptionally good basketball player. During World War II, she obtained her Teacher’s Certificate and taught at Union School in Choctaw County. Ethel was a long-time employee of Wells Lamont, Corp., and retired from there after over 25 years. After retirement, Ethel and Hickey were fully committed to family, home, and community in Tomnolen, MS (where she lived for 70 years). She was a strong, devout Christian; she supported her church community at the Tomnolen Baptist Church throughout those 70 years. Ethel and Hickey enjoyed gardening and preserved many vegetables, jams and jellies to share with family and friends. Ethel was an excellent baker and will long be remembered in her community for her famous cream cheese pound cake, which she took great pride and joy in baking and sharing. Ethel resided with her daughters in Fairhope, AL for the last 11 years. She enjoyed her neighbors’ friendships and playing bunko as well as participating in neighborhood holiday celebrations and special occasions. She loved her beautician, Lara Babbs, who she visited weekly. Her sweet and loving nieces (Gerry Canterbury) and (Shirlene Collum) kept her connected through phone calls and cards to her Tomnolen Church family and her many relatives. She loved and was totally devoted to her numerous nieces and nephews, many of whom she regularly communicated and several generations of nieces and nephews traveled intermittently to Fairhope to visit with her. Her favorite past times were reading, especially her Bible, keeping abreast of world and national events and watching wildlife from her window. The geese, egrets, hummingbirds, and bluebirds were always a source of enjoyment and conversation, as well as Riley the cat. In later years she learned to play dominoes and was competitive even on her last day. Ethel’s kind, sweet, loving and caring spirit will remain always in the hearts of her family and friends. She had both outward and inner beauty. Ethel loved her family deeply, especially her 2 daughters, 2 grandsons, and 2 great-grandchildren. Ethel is survived by her daughters, Dr. Gayle Mitchell, (fiancée, Robert Staples, Mobile, AL) Fairhope, AL, and Lydia (Jerry) Loftis, Fairhope, AL; grandsons; Kenneth Fiveash, Cantonment, FL, Christopher Fiveash, Cantonment, FL and great grandchildren, Andrew Vincent, Pensacola, FL, and Aubree Vincent, Milton, FL. She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Charlie “Hickey” Fulford, both parents, Jim Thomas Dean and Lara Lee Omie Bright Dean and her 13 siblings (6 sisters and 7 brothers). In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Tomnolen Baptist Church or Woods Springs Baptist Church. Funeral Services for Mrs. Ethel Marie Dean Fulford will be held at 2:00PM on Friday, April 4, 2025, at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel in Eupora, MS. The family will receive friends and loved ones for a time of visitation on Friday, April 4, 2025, from 12:30PM until time for services at 2:00PM at Oliver Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Wood Springs Cemetery in Choctaw County, MS. The Graveside/Committal Services will be held at Oliver Funeral Home Chapel instead of Wood Springs Cemetery. Rev. Don Parish will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Kenneth Fiveash, Christopher Fiveash, Dale Dean, Benny Dean, Mike Dean and David Canterbury. After the service, attendees are invited to attend a life celebration meal at Tomnolen Baptist Church, provided by the ladies of the church. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is entrusted with all arrangements.