Allan Edward Fulmer Sr.

COLUMBIA Allan E. Fulmer, Sr. passed away Friday, May 23, 2014 after a brief illness. Born on June 10, 1920 in Columbia, he was the last surviving child of the late Ollen E. Fulmer and Maude Bennett Fulmer and stepson of Maude Moorehead Fulmer. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Philip A. Fulmer (May Corley), Herman Fulmer (Elizabeth), Earl Fulmer and J. Edgar Fulmer (Joyce Fulmer now Griffith), and his sisters, Marcelle F. Henderson (Paul) and Mazie Fulmer.

Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 27, 2014, in Boyce Chapel at First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC, followed by a short reception with the family in Ellis Hall. A graveside service will follow in Elmwood Cemetery and Gardens. Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is coordinating the funeral services for the family. The family will also receive friends at the residence from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday, May 26, 2014.

Mr. Fulmer was born in Columbia where his father was the Paymaster at Pacific Mills and also a dairy farmer. His mother died when he was very young and his father remarried Maude Ethel Moorehead, a member of First Baptist Church. At age 13 he accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior and being a Christian was always the cornerstone of his daily living. He graduated from Brookland-Cayce High School in 1939 and immediately entered military service in World War II, serving in the U.S. Navy in the Atlantic and Pacific and in Japan when the war ended. He was honorably discharged in 1944 having attained the rank of Lt. Commander. He completed his course of study at the University of South Carolina and obtained his Law Degree from the University in 1949. He worked his way through law school as an on-air announcer at WKIX, a local radio station under the moniker “Wayne Tibbs” since the dean of the Law School frowned upon law students working. He deemed his marriage to his wife, Kathryn Fetner, as one of the most memorable family experiences of his life. They first met prior to the War while he was working as a clerk at Eden’s Grocery Store on Devine Street near Five Points.

Mr. Fulmer practiced law here in Columbia for more than sixty (60) years, the last 30 years in practice with son, Allan, Jr. Mr. Fulmer was a South Carolina Bar Examiner, a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and as a Trustee of Furman University.

Having served as a deacon for many years at First Baptist Church, he was made a Deacon Emeritus. He also served as a Sunday School Director, legal counsel, and as Church Moderator for more than 25 years.

Surviving are his wife of 63 years, Kathryn F. Fulmer; children, Allan E. Fulmer, Jr. (Julie) and Beth Fulmer Evers (Tom) and was predeceased by his daughter, Kathy Fulmer Helms (Craig); also survived by his grandchildren, Winston Helms (Leigh), Marcie Helms, Katie Williamson (Chris), A. Bennett Evers (Mary Kendrick), and Butler Evers; great-grandchildren, Bryce Williamson, Katie Claire Helms, Jake Allan Helms; nephew, Philip Fulmer; nieces, Mary Elizabeth Kessler (Arlin), Betty Lee Lawler, Edna Louise Warren, Brenda Fulmer Rainey (John), and Susan Fulmer Roger (Duncan); great-nephews, Allan Edgar Kessler, and Jack Roger; great-nieces, Cameron Kessler, Amanda Rainey, and Laurin Roger.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 1306 Hampton Street, Columbia, SC 29201.