Eschol Hubert Fulford

Mr. Hubert Fulford was raised on a farm in Wheeler County, Georgia, where he learned practical skills and developed a work ethic which he practiced every day of his life.  Mr. Fulford taught at Cedar Grove High School 1951-1953; Rentz High School 1953-1958; and East Laurens High School 1958-1984. He organized the first Young Farmer Chapter in Laurens County in 1975, and he continued supervising until his retirement in 1984.

Mr. Fulford graduated from Wheeler County High School in 1948. He then attended the University of Georgia and graduated with a B.S. in Agriculture Education in 1951. During his undergraduate years at UGA he spent his Saturdays at Sanford Stadium collecting tickets from fans as they entered. He earned his Masters Degree from The University of Georgia later in his teaching career.

As an agriculture teacher, Mr. Fulford focused on helping young people excel in the classroom, with their SAEs and in FFA contests. Mr. Fulford’s students had over 100 state FFA degrees awarded, 75 state FFA CDE wins, 3 state FFA officers, 15 district public speaking awards, and numerous State Fair hog showings, ag. mechanic and wiring awards.  Many hours spent on his students’ farms working with SAE projects made for a well-rounded agriculture education program.

As a young farmer teacher, Mr. Fulford recognized the need for promoting agriculture in the community and established and managed two Young Farmers chapters within Laurens County. Through personal contact with local farmers, membership grew rapidly as they saw the benefits of being members of the Young Farmer organization.  Through individual contact and educational classes, Mr. Fulford helped local farmers improve crop yields, improve and expand livestock enterprises, and improve farm structures and facilities.  Much of this success of his Young Farmer programs can be attributed to the fact that he made it a family affair. Both the East and West Laurens chapters had active wives’ instructional programs and children were included in many chapter activities.  Under Mr. Fulford’s leadership both chapters participated in GYFA conventions, summer tours, local community service projects and local corn and soybean yield contests.  The Young Farmer chapters also sponsored local livestock shows and annual farm equipment demonstration days.  Mr. Fulford also encouraged leadership activities with active chapter officer teams and entrants in the Young Farmer Farm Family and Farm Management contests.  He appeared on the Winter, 1980, Georgia Young Farmer magazine cover and his small engine class was featured in the Georgia Future Farmer magazine.He was inducted into the Georgia Agriculture Education Hall of Fame January 22, 2019.

Mr. Fulford’s professional involvement included being a member of GVATA, NVATA, GVA, NVA, GEA, and NEA.  He chaired committees when new courses were added to state offerings, and he served as Chairman of the local Farm Bureau organization.  He served as the district Retired Ag. Teachers Association Chairman from 1987-1989. He was a current active member of the Laurens County Retired Educators Association where he received many certificates for perfect attendance.

Mr. Fulford humbly did his job with a servant’s heart.  For him, teaching was not just a job, but a way of life. He left a legacy that is still evident in Laurens County today.

Mr. Fulford was an active member and deacon of Trail Branch Primitive Baptist Church near Cochran, Georgia. He supported the sister Primitive Baptist churches in the area with faithful attendance with his wife, Jeanette Fulford. They celebrated 67 years of marriage on July 5, 2020.

Mr. Fulford was noted for his humor and wit and was always prepared to share a story for any occasion. Many of those stories were not only humorous but filled with wisdom.

The utmost corner stone of Mr. Fulford’s life was the love for his wife, children, and grandchildren. He led by example by being a Godly father who stressed the importance of a solid educational foundation, making wise choices, and working diligently to be respected members of the community.  His family never questioned his deep and abiding love for them. Mr. Fulford was very humble and the epitome of the Southern Gentleman.

Mr. Fulford is survived by his wife; Jeanette Fulford of Dublin, his daughters; Beverly Fulford Hall (Dan) of Danville; Gail Fulford Sims (Stephen) of Grovetown; Amy Fulford Johnson (David) of Gray; grandchildren; Tyler Sims (Katherine); Chandler Sims (Katherine); Cameron Sims; Jordan Sims; Alexa Johnson; Ashlyn Johnson; Addison Johnson; brother in law and sister in law; Minton and Mildred Lord of Dudley and a host of nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents; Thomas Acie Fulford and Maryann Victoria Rowland Fulford; his brothers; Jack Fulford; Grady Fulford; Clyde Fulford; Daries Fulford; Herman Fulford all of Alamo.

The funeral service for Mr. Fulford will be held 2:00 Monday, August 3, 2020, at Trail Branch Primitive Baptist Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery.  Elder Stephen Dyar and Elder Ricky Harcrow will officiate. The family may be contacted at the family home.

Tyler Sims, Chandler Sims, Cameron Sims, Jordan Sims, John Flanders, Chad White and Wade Fulford will serve as pallbearers.

Due to Covid19 restrictions, there will be limited seating, 50 people in the sanctuary and 50 people in the social hall, all will be practicing social distancing.  For those who come and stay in your vehicle, you can tune in to AM 1600 and listen to the service on your car radio.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Trail Branch Primitive Baptist Church; c/o Marvin Howard, Church Treasurer, 1997 Rebie Road; Dudley, Georgia 31022, if so desired. Townsend Brothers Funeral Home and Staff respectfully ask all in attendance to follow the social distancing guidelines set by our local health district and the CDC. Please visit www.townsendfuneralhome.com to sign the online memorial register.

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