Mildred was born on April 11, 1933 in Italy, Texas.
She was the youngest of eight children born to a share crop farmer/preacher and a homemaker during the Great Depression.Lovingly called “Meddy,” she grew up in Lamesa, Texas. From an early age her parents taught her the importance of being honest, having a good work ethic and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All things she held fast to during her life.
As a teen, she was awestruck and fell for the handsome and polite boy down the block, and was steadfast in writing letters to him each week while he was deployed. Somewhere between his corny jokes and the details of their days he realized what she had known all along. They were meant for each other. She married her sweetheart, Sidney Fuller, on April 5, 1950. Together they built a life serving the Lord and raising four children. Mildred was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom for a time and later enjoyed working in the office at Montgomery Wards. Her determination to not leave things unfinished led her to complete her GED at 81 years old.
Mildred had God-given musical talent. She could play by ear and was self-taught on the piano and organ. Her home was often filled with the sound of her singing along to the melodies she played, unless there was a gameshow on. You could routinely find her with her phone in hand having a “quick” chat with family and friends, or completing a crossword or sudoku puzzle to keep her mind sharp. She loved taking care of her family and her holiday pies were always a hot commodity. Perhaps her favorite pastime was rocking her grandbabies and great-grandbabies to sleep, often sharing a nap with them.She attended both Fairview and San Jacinto Assembly of God churches over the years, where she shared her musical talents and served as a youth leader and Sunday school teacher, among other roles.
She will be remembered for her heart of gold, a shining example of a pure soul; her loyalty to those she loved; her quick-witted, quiet sense of humor; her true momma’s heart; and ability to offer a listening ear, comfort, advice,and prayers to anyone in need. Mildred was abundantly loved and her earthly presence will be terribly missed by all who held her dear.
She was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Sid, of exactly seventy-one and a half years; her parents, William “Searcy” and Ida Hambrick; three brothers, Carl, Whit and Louis Hambrick; and four sisters, Mary Williams, Winnie Testerman, Faye Bozard, and Merle Grubbs; daughter-in-law, Jolene Fuller; and great-grandson, Landon Fuller.
Survivors include her children, Radonna Hale (Terry), Rodney Fuller (Carol), Rebecca Bustos, Russell Fuller (Flicia), all of Amarillo; grandchildren Samuel Hale (Jennifer), Stephen Hale, Benjamin Fuller (Sabrina), Seth Hale, Brent Fuller (Ashley), Alexzandria Noriega (Jeremy), Amber Bustos, Ashton Bustos, Brady Fuller (Chrissy), Aubreauna Hernandez (Andrew), Samantha Gray (Mason), Addison Bustos and Sidney Fuller; and 22 great-grandchildren.
