Patricia Ann Fuller

 

Patricia Ann (Talbot) Fuller, 80, of Waxahachie, passed away peacefully at her home on November 2, 2024, after a courageous and inspirational nineteen-year battle with Parkinson’s. Born February 24, 1944 to Edward Vernon and Gladys Irene Talbot in Corsicana, TX, her path through life would take her to many memorable places, touch many lives, and leave a legacy of love and lessons. 

Patricia was raised on a small cotton farm in Ferris, TX where, by the time she left, she had found a love for both music and teaching. After graduating as Salutatorian of her high school class, Patricia went on to attend Stephen F. Austin University where she would graduate with a double major in English and Education. From there, Patricia would go on to graduate with honors from Texas A&M Commerce with a master’s degree in early childhood development. 

While working on her degrees that propelled her into a career in education, she met the love of her life and husband of 54 years, Jim Fuller. The life that they created together is what truly brought her the most joy as she gained the titles of Mother and Grammy. Along with her trips with Jim to the Pacific Coast of California, her favorite memories were those with her family on annual trips to the Rocky Mountains of Colorado which would become one of her favorite places on Earth. Together with Jim, they would join the Pathway Baptist Church (formerly Farley Street Baptist Church) where they have been members for fifty years. Patricia’s conviction for leading others to Christ, along with her love for her church and church family, were ever-present as she devoted her time singing in the choir, leading her Sunday School class, as well as acting as the Ladies Ministry leader. 

Patricia’s passion and life’s work centered around teaching. Throughout a career that spanned 34 years, she taught in Mineral Wells, Ferris, and for the last 25 years at Northside Elementary in Waxahachie. Her love of teaching never diminished even in retirement. She could still recall so many of the students she had taught and could still remember the excitement she felt every year when she had the chance to get in and prepare her classroom for the year to come. Patricia absolutely loved her time at Northside and that is where, even up to her final days, she still maintained some of the closest friendships she would ever know. (A special thank you to the “Old Guard”)

Patricia was preceded in death by her parents, sister Bobbie Holder, and brother-in-law Roy Holder of Kansas City. She leaves behind her husband, Jim Fuller, sons Brad Fuller (wife Melissa), Brent Fuller (wife Kasey), and Brian Fuller (wife Amy), grandchildren Dru Fuller, Abby Fuller, Maddie Fuller, Brody Fuller, Waylon Fuller, Harlan Fuller, Blake Nail, and nephews Rob and Greg Holder. 

Of a life well-lived, it is hard to imagine the number of lives she touched and the number of lessons she left with others along her journey. While classroom lessons may have ceased, her days of teaching were far from over. With her unwavering faith and love for Christ, she met adversity with an immeasurable sense of patience and resilience. While facing her final time on this earth, she continued to meet that with a beautiful display of grace and selflessness. In the Bible it describes a teacher as “someone who can impart truth and wisdom for life.” Patricia emphatically lived the life of a teacher and, even in death, her lessons will live on. 

A memorial service will be held in Waxahachie, TX at Pathway Baptist Church on Thursday, November 21, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude for all the love and prayers shared and the acts of kindness displayed. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to honor her faith by requesting that donations be made to the building fund at Pathway Baptist Church in her name.