William PULLEN

PULLEN, William Dr. William George Pullen, age 75, of Rome, GA died January 31, 2014, of a sudden stroke. He was born in Blakely, GA on November 8, 1938, son of the late Clarence Walthall Pullen and Carrie Frances Terry Pullen. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth P. Hampton (Biloxi, MS), his brother, Clarence W. Pullen, Jr. (Pensacola, FL), and his sister, Margaret P. Hall (Powder Springs, GA). He graduated from LaGrange College. In 1963 he received his Bachelor of Divinity Degree from Duke University and thereafter served for several years as a Methodist minister in the South Georgia Conference. His commitment to fighting social injustice and oppression led to his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement in southwest Georgia during this time. He received a Master's degree in history from Florida State University and, in 1971, his Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. George was a charter member of the faculty of Floyd Junior College (now Georgia Highlands College) in Rome, joining the institution in 1970. He chaired the Division of Social Sciences from 1971 - 1993 and in 1994 became Chair of the Division of Extended Learning. He retired in 1997 and was named Professor Emeritus of History. In 1980 George ran successfully for the Rome City Commission, on which he served for 23 years. He served as Chairman of the Commission (now Mayor) from 1992-1998. While on the City Commission, George served for a number of years on the Board of the Georgia Municipal Association. George has served on a number of other civic boards as well, including the Rome-Floyd County Commission on Children and Youth, of which he was President in 2009 and has served as Treasurer since 2011. He was a member of St. Peter's Episcopal Church. Yet another of George's many activities in Rome was his ownership of Pullen's Ordinary Bicycles on Broad Street, which he launched in 1982 with his son, Clay and daughter Mary George (Madge). George was a committed Democrat and served as Chair of the Floyd County Democratic Party from 2010-2012. His belief in putting his passion for social justice into action led to runs for the 7th District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 1983; he also ran for the Georgia State Senate in 2004. He was proud to have been named (with Ann) as Floyd County Democrat of the Year in 2013. Perhaps no quote better sums up George's beliefs and shaped his actions better than that from Micah 6:8: "...and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?" Although George had many interests and causes that occupied much of his time and effort, his family was the most important part of his life. His favorite times were when he, Ann, and his beloved children and grandchildren could be together. Nothing fancy was required, just togetherness. George is survived by his wife, Dr. Ann Wells Pullen; his son Clay Pullen and his partner Elizabeth Markowitz (Atlanta); daughter Mary George P. Livesay and her husband Dr. Christopher Livesay (Memphis, TN); his step-son James Ellis and his wife Laura (St. Charles, MO); grandchildren Alexandra Livesay (Washington, D.C.), Charlotte and Barret Livesay (Memphis), Shelby and Jacob Pullen (Atlanta), Ryan, Andrea and Krista Ellis (St. Charles, MO). Other survivors include his sister Carolyn P. Carter and her husband Louie (Tallahassee), brother-in-law Jack D. Hall (Powder Springs), a number of nieces and nephews and his children's mother, June Pullen Weis (Atlanta). The family will receive visitors at Daniel's Funeral Home, Rome, GA on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2014 from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. A memorial service will be held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Rome, GA on Wednesday, February 5, at 11 AM with Rev. John Herring, Rev. Janice Bracken Wright, and Rev. Roger Ard officiating, followed by a reception in the church's Daniel Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully suggests donations to St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 101 E. Fourth Ave., Rome, GA, 30161; The Rome-Floyd Commission on Children and Youth, P. O. Box 244. Rome, GA 30162-0244, Women of WORTH, 1513 Dean St., Rome, GA, 30161, or the Georgia Highlands College Office of Advancement 3175 Cedartown Hwy, Rome, GA. 30161. Daniel's Funeral Home of Rome, GA has charge of the funeral arrangements.