ROCKINGHAM — A woman who served Richmond County as an educator and political figure has passed away.
Shirley Smith Fuller, the first female to ever serve on the Rockingham City Council, died Thursday, Oct. 1 at the age of 72.
Fuller was featured in March in a Facebook post by Visit Richmond County in honor of Women’s History Month:
“Making history and serving as a leader is synonymous with the name Shirley Fuller.
As the first ever female to serve on the Rockingham City Council, Fuller opened the door for female representation.
She also paved the way for female leadership in education during her nearly 40-year career in public education, where she served as both a teacher and administrator in North and South Carolina and Germany.
Her personal education began after graduating from Leak Street High School in 1965. She next graduated from Winston-Salem State in 1969 with a Bachelors in Elementary Education, followed by two Masters degrees from N.C. A&T State (University) in elementary education, school supervision, and principalship in 1986 and 1989.
She has taught at numerous schools in and outside of Richmond County and held the principal role at the former Hoffman Elementary, West Rockingham Elementary and Rockingham Middle School.
Upon her retirement from the school system in 2010, she was appointed to the Richmond Community College Board of Trustees along with working as an Adult Basic Education evening instructor at the college.
Reflective of her passion for education and public service, she also served on the Department of Social Services Board of Directors, Leak Street Community Center Board of Directors, FirstHealth Richmond Memorial Hospital Foundation Board, Board of Directors for Samaritan Colony of Rockingham, and on the Association of Community College Trustees.
As if that isn’t enough, Fuller was also the national president of her sorority, Alpha Pi Chi.
Today we celebrate the long list of history-making accomplishments of a lady who truly epitomizes civic duty, honor, leadership, and professionalism.
Thank you, Mrs. Fuller, for your many years of service in a multitude of capacities in our community, making such a strong positive impact on so many staff and students alike, paving the way for female leadership, and making Richmond County so proud!”
Funeral arrangements with Nelson Funeral Home have not yet been announced.
