Laura Mae Fuller, 94 of Gainesville passed away Wednesday September 19, 2018. On September 25, 1923, Laura Mae Fuller began a walk along a path which led her on an adventure that lasted for almost 95 years. Laura Mae grew up in a house located at 470 Boulevard where she lived with her parents, the late Richard Augustus Griffin and the late Laura Maybelle Griffin along with her younger brother Martin McGee Griffin.
After completing school at Candler Street School (where she rode out the 1936 tornado that swept through the city) and Gainesville High School, Laura Mae attended and graduated from Wesleyan College. Immediately thereafter, she displayed that streak of independence that she was known for when, as a young woman, Laura Mae went to work for Eastern Airlines where she lived with several of her girlfriends in the heart of Atlanta while also taking advantage of her opportunity to fly to different parts of the country at a time period when flying in an airplane took just a bit of courage. Ultimately, Laura Mae recognized how much she loved Gainesville returning to her hometown to work with Poultry Enterprises, a local publication for the poultry industry.
After World War II ended, Laura Mae married the late Charles Everett Fuller and began work as a homemaker where together they raised three children, Susan Fuller Finger, Charles Andrew Fuller and John Martin Fuller. After completing her tour of duty raising her children, Laura Mae, who was always one for a challenge, returned to the world of academics where she obtained a degree in education followed by a master’s degree which allowed her to pursue what her family members saw to be her true calling, teaching. Laura Mae made a career out of teaching hundreds of students the subject of English at Fair Street Elementary School and Gainesville Middle School where her reputation was to do whatever was necessary to see that each and every student was successful in their academic endeavors.
As so many of her former students attest, Mrs. Fuller made a positive impact upon the lives of many children. Although possessing a love of teaching, Laura Mae began a new adventure by retiring at an age that allowed her to pursue the real love of her life, her grandchildren. It was at this juncture in her life where she underwent an unexpected change of name to become permanently known as Granny Fuller, not only to her own grandchildren, but to all of the friends of her grandchildren as well as many others throughout her community, both children and adults.
Her reputation as Granny Fuller was far and wide throughout the community that she loved and that loved her back. No task was too big or too small for Laura Mae when it came to her grandchildren whether that was delivering sandwiches to school daily from the In Between or assisting with school projects or simply spending quality time with those that became the center of her existence, Carolyn, Michelle, Laura, Stephen, Christopher, Jessica and Jennifer. Laura Mae never forgot about her community and, as long as her health allowed, she remained active in her church, the First United Methodist Church of Gainesville where she had been a member since she first began walking to church on Sundays as a little girl.
Laura Mae also enjoyed delivering food to local residents through the Meals on Wheels program. Laura Mae “Granny” Fuller lived a long and productive life leaving her family with memories that will be eternally cherished as she begins her life in eternity with the Lord. Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Andy and Gay Fuller, Gainesville; John and Joann Fuller, Gainesville; daughter, Susan Fuller Finger, Columbia, MO; grandchildren, Laura and Derek Jackson; Stephen Finger; Carolyn and Trent McChesney; Michelle and John Haley; Christopher and Noelle Fuller; Jessica Fuller; Jennifer and Robert Finlayson; great grandchildren, Andrew Mac McChesney; Michelle “MiMi” Page McChesney; John William “Will” Haley, III.
brother, Martin Griffin, Marietta; sister-in-law, Mrs. Jim (Anne) Fuller, Gainesville; nieces, Dianna Fuller, Gainesville; Mrs. Gemma Jordan, Pennsylvania; nephew, Allen Fuller, Columbia, SC. Mrs. Fuller is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Charles Everett Fuller and son-in-law, Terry Finger. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday September 21, 2018 at the Gainesville First United Methodist Church Chapel.
Rev. David Smith will officiate. A private family burial will take place at the Alta Vista Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Little & Davenport Funeral Home Thursday September 20 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to Center Point, 1050 Elephant Trail, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 or Camp Glisson, 690 Camp Glisson Road, Dahlonega, Ga. 30533.
Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Ga. 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
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