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Junus C. Fulbright 1942-2002 |
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After a prolonged illness, Reverend Junus C. Fulbright, a respected leader in the Church of God, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, June 6 at approximately 6:00 p.m. Left to grieve his passing and their personal loss are his wife, Barbara; three daughters and sons-in-law Tanya and Kyle Rutherford, Shana and Todd Garner, Abigail and Shea Hughes; his mother, Eula Fulbright; and grandchildren Kylee Rutherford, Grayson Garner, Cody Rutherford and Micah Hughes. He was preceded in death by his father, Junus C. Fulbright, Sr. In September of 1998, Reverend Fulbright had just begun an appointment as state overseer of Alabama. He was faithfully serving the Lord, having ministered at a district meeting, when he suffered a hemorrhagic stroke, from which he never fully recovered. Junus began his preaching ministry while still a teen. He had committed his life to God when he was but a child. He served as pastor, evangelist, state youth director, state overseer, and in numerous elected and appointed leadership positions, including director of Evangelism and Home Missions Department and director and assistant director of the Youth and Christian Education Department. This minister who genuinely loved people and never met a stranger received recognition with the Citation Award as Youth and Christian Education Director, 1974-80 and 1982-84, and Lee University Upsilon Xi service club Alumnus of the Year, 1987. Educated at Lee University with a bachelor’s degree in education, he served as student body president 1964-65 and remained convinced of the importance of education, serving on Lee’s National Alumni Board, 1972-74, and as secretary 1974-80; as North Carolina Summer Bible Institute faculty member, 1967-72, and as a board member 1972-74. An author, contributing writer and committed gospel preacher, he served on various church boards and committees and was a frequent speaker at youth camps, camp meetings and services around the world. The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 9, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Grissom Funeral Home in Cleveland, Tennessee. The funeral home may be reached at 423/476-8575. Funeral services will be held Monday at 1:00 p.m. at the North Cleveland Church of God, also located in Cleveland. Interment will follow in Sunset Memorial Gardens. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - One of the Church of God’s respected leaders was laid to rest as funeral ceremonies for Rev. Junus Fulbright were held this afternoon in Cleveland, Tennessee. The service was conducted at the north Cleveland Church of God with several officiating ministers. The North Cleveland Crusader Choir sang, Source of My Strength following a congregational hymn of Glad Reunion Day. Kevin Dansby spoke on behalf of the “thousands and thousands” of youth Fulbright touched over the course of his ministry which began when he was a teenager. Dansby then sang If You Could See Me Now. “We were created to live, not to die,” stated General Overseer Dr. Lamar Vest. “It was sin that entered into the picture and so made it unnatural for man to die…the important thing is how well we live our lives and Junus’ life was a life well-lived.” Dr. John D. Nichols, Director of Care Ministries for the Church of God, spoke of the burden he had for Junus and Barbara Fulbright which led to the construction of the Care Ministries Home where the Fulbright’s lived for the past year. “Barbara, you did a great job,” he stated publicly. “You will have no excuses and most importantly no regrets for the care you rendered these last four years.” Dennis McGuire, Assistant General Overseer for the Church of God, could not help but fondly recall the mischief and memories created with his best friend, Junus Fulbright. McGuire provided several minutes of comic relief with stories dating back to their college days together as roommates, up until Fulbright’s death last week. “He kept his chin up and was an inspiration to me,” McGuire stated of his best friend. “He may have been laying in a bed, unable to speak, but he was not crushed…he loved people and people loved him…he loved to shake hands and when we get to heaven, he is going to be on the front lines welcoming us into the pearly gates.” Other speakers were Rev. Gary Sears and Rev. C.C. Pratt with special music by Rev. Tim Hill. Officiating at the graveside service at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Cleveland was Dr. Eleanor Sheeks, Dr. H.B. Thompson, Sr., and Rev. Robert Bailey. Special music was provided by the Branham Family Singers and the Looney Brothers. Pall bearers were Dan Boling, Ken Boyd, Fidencio Burgueno, Ralph Carroll, Ray Garner, Barry Myers, Grey Robinson and Ron Zimmer. Source: This article is entitled, "Junus Fulbright Laid to Rest" and was printed on the Church of God Faith News Network" on 6/10/02 (http://www.faithnews.cc/articles.cfm?storyid=2310&type=COG%20News)
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