ROCKINGHAM — Samaritan Colony is pleased to announce the availability of an exceptional treatment scholarship, named in honor of Shirley Fuller, an educator born in Richmond County. Fuller served on our Board of Directors from July 1996 to May 2016, and her generous spirit will never be forgotten.
The Shirley Fuller Treatment Scholarship has been made possible through a charitable donation by her daughter, Shannah Stephens. You can read more about Shirley’s extraordinary life of service below.
Shirley Smith Fuller was born on Jan. 16, 1948, in Rockingham to William Harold and Bernice Smith. Fuller graduated from Leak Street High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Winston-Salem State University in Winston Salem, North Carolina. She furthered her education by obtaining three master’s degrees from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro, North Carolina. Shirley received master’s degrees in elementary education, school administration, and supervision.
For 41 years, Fuller helped to educate students. She taught in North and South Carolina and taught overseas in Germany. Fuller was a teacher for R.B. Dean School in Maxton, Vass Lakeview Elementary School in Vass, Bennettsville and McColl Primary Schools in Marlboro County, South Carolina, Rohanen Primary School in Rockingham, and Monroe Avenue School in Hamlet.
When Fuller and her former husband, who served in the Army, were stationed near Frankfurt, Germany, she taught the American children on post. She moved to the administrative side of education and became a Title 1 supervisor for Richmond County Schools. Fuller then moved to a role as a school principal. She worked as a principal at Leak Street Alternative School, Hoffman Elementary, West Rockingham Elementary, and Rockingham Middle School. Fuller retired from education in 2010. Her love of education did not end as she was appointed to the Richmond Community College Board of Trustees. She had worked as an Adult Basic Education evening instructor at RCC and always had an appreciation for the college.
Shirley often quoted Luke 12:48 —to whom much is given, much will be required — and she lived her life by it.
In addition to her years of service to Samaritan Colony, Fuller served on the Department of Social Services Board of Directors, Rockingham Recreation Foundation Board of Directors, Richmond Christian Counseling Center Board of Directors, Leak Street Community Center Board of Directors, Richmond County Smart Start Board of Directors, Rockingham Housing Authority Board of Directors, FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital Foundation Board and on the Association of Community College Trustees. Fuller was an active member of Alpha Pi Chi National Sorority, Inc., where she served as the national president for two terms. She was the first national president from the state of North Carolina.
In addition to serving as a leader, she made history while doing it. In 2003, she became the first female to serve on the Rockingham City Council. Fuller epitomized civic duty, honor, leadership, and professionalism.
Shirley Fuller passed on Oct. 1, 2020.
