This feature is indeed a Pastime but also a tribute to a fine couple, sadly, who recently passed one within one month of each other here in Warren.
Sam and Fufa Fullerton were indeed a team.
United in marriage for 69 years and if one paid close attention to the goings on in Warren in the realm of civic improvements, job creation and generally moving our community forward, you could always see and feel their fingerprints on notable projects.
That is to say, and to say it quickly, they didn’t always “move” the Warren community forward by writing checks or making donations. They (both) like a lot of other civilly “power couples” across the spectrum of Warren/Bradley County for the last half of a century, didn’t always pull out the check book to help implement change.
They did it by finding the right people, motivating them forward, and giving unqualified support and enthusiasm to positive actions within the Warren/Bradley County community.
And they wanted those who sought the changes to learn to raise the funds necessary and work even harder than just for a donation.
Their combined service on boards, commissions, committees, and leadership groups (both planned and unplanned) often tipped the scales in favor of change and positivity in Warren/Bradley County.
Not by any means of the old Southern “good old boys network,” you didn’t have to have their blessing for any civic, political, or social change.
And they did not require you to get their permission for change either.
But if you wanted to be on the “right side of history,” one would hope their moves coincided with their view points.
That is not to say there was any one cause, attempt or move civically, politically, or generally they opposed. Both Sam and Fufa might not like a particular project – but seldom did they out and out oppose such an action.
Sam, given his, youthful days, being thrust into the management of the lumber mill, grew up planning far into the future, knowing the value of innovation and requiring of those around him (he hired some of the best names around) to look beyond their jobs and tasks and to take an interest in making Warren/Bradley County be their home, not just a place where they worked.
Fufa, once the trio of over-achieving children they raised, saw a need to return to college. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Arkansas at Monticello with a perfect 4.0 GPA. While at the University she was a charter member and first President of Sigma Tau Delta, English Scholastic Honor Society. She was also a member of the Journalism Club and a regular contributor to the University literary magazine. She was elected to membership in Alpha Chi Scholastic Honor Society and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities.
Once graduating from UA-Monticello she felt a need to get a law degree, something she has always “wished” she had done earlier in life.
And, at age 59, she did it.
Making that 180-mile round trip to classes was a herculean effort – one that she easily could have abandoned at any time,
But she did it.
And graduated law school with honors.
Her civic involvement as a Warren City Council member was also spurred by a local issue of which she was not only sympathetic to (rising water bills) but saw the need to work out a compromise for the elderly and poor.
She was a faithful city council member. Often putting off social and cultural invites to sitting though city council meetings over budget matters and trying, trying always to make Warren a better town.
Fufa was also very well known as a city council member who went to area and state Municipal League meetings. She did this to learn the “ins and outs” of city council service under Arkansas’ laws, rules, and regulations. She was certified in several courses over the years and recognized by the Arkansas Municipal League. Talking to her about an issue, one did not get just what she thought was the right thing to do, but also what was the legal, ethical and realistic way, under Arkansas laws and city code, to enact change.
Still in Warren, many of the Fullerton’s efforts were always behind the scenes, never seeking accolades for their work on behalf of their home community.
Fufa was an only child. Sam was the only son and had one sister, so both were not necessarily “shy” adults, but adults who did not need a lot of praise, back slapping or atta boys or atta girl platitudes directed their way.
Sam was a long-time supporter of the Warren Public Schools. He served three decades as the school board representative and Chair of the Bradley County Equalization Board. He donated the site work to construct the Warren High School Auditorium/City of Warren Cultural Center and Lumberjack stadium, the latter in honor. of his friend and business partner, Jim Hurley. Fullerton also donated playground material for the elementary school. Fullerton did the site preparation for the Warren Municipal Airport. He served as a Charter Member of the South East Arkansas Regional Intermodal Authority and as its treasurer from 1998 until 2011.
His board service was one area, like his military service, where his silent intellect benefited the citizens of Warren/Bradley County.
Fullerton served as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, stationed at Mobile, Alabama, where he served as a war planner and in military logistics. In the Reserves, Sam reached the rank of Captain. Following his return to his hometown of Warren in 1956, he worked as an executive in the Bradley Lumber Company. He later founded and led Moro Gravel, Moro Inc., and L.A. Log Trailers. He served as a director of the Arkansas General Contractors. Fullerton built many sections of the Arkansas interstate system, including the I-40/430 Crystal Hill interchange, most of I-530 from Pine Bluff to Little Rock, and other sections of the interstate from Texarkana to Fort Smith. He also built many secondary roads and bridges all over the State of Arkansas. Following his retirement, Fullerton was recognized by his peers as a leader in the construction industry and was inducted into the Arkansas Construction Hall of Fame in 2004.
Fufa as a Warren City Council member, for thirty years she served as an Alderman and represented her constituents with zealous passion.
She believed that everyone had a right to be listened to by their elected officials. Through most of her tenure, Fufa served on or chaired the Police Committee.
She was also active in the Arkansas Municipal League and served on numerous committees. Upon her retirement in 2016, she was awarded lifetime membership in the Municipal League in recognition of her service to good government.
Both Sam and Fufa were avid readers.
Few knew of their influence on others came in the loaning of books, magazines or the praise for organizations in Arkansas and the Midsouth who wrote and published books, biographies and poetry.
One of the happiest times in Fufa collegiate experience was returning to college and time spent at the writing laboratory on the UA-Monticello campus, helping others learn to write better papers so as to pass college courses.
Where both Sam and Fufa excelled, however, was in their commitment to their church – the First Presbyterian Church of Warren.
Both were ordained Elder and Deacon in the First Presbyterian Church of Warren. The church offices they served were many.
Civic and cultural offices held by this couple were numerous, but where they both excelled was not only in board meetings, but volunteering for whatever needed to be done to execute programs for others.
It was said at both their services, that this couple, “…We hold to the promise of resurrection and the hope that Fufa and Sam are together again for life everlasting. We are better for her life of service and love, and we celebrate their intelligence, passion and love.”
Both Sam and Fufa, both singularly and collectively, were incomparable persons.
Tonight, like a lot of “power” couples in Warren’s history, they will forever sleep in Oakland Cemetery.
I will miss them both, for whenever visiting Warren, our conversations were just where they left off the last time we saw each other. The visits were warm, comforting, and uplifting filled with humor, information and yes, a real love for the town, the county and all of Southeast Arkansas.
And did I remember to say, Sam’s biggest and perhaps least known personal traits. He was a great cook and he loved big black dogs.
A Pastime of memories for this couple, often working out of the public’s view for all things good and beneficial for the people of Warren and Bradley County.