Patricia Ruth Fulghum

Patricia Ruth Fulghum beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, died on August 28,2023, at the Bowie, Maryland home she shared with her daughter.  She was 90 years old at the time of her death.

Born in Roseville, MI, she was the daughter of Emma Scheck Brenniman and Arthur Brenniman, both deceased. Orphaned at age nine, she lived with her Aunt Esther and Uncle Ed Schenk until she graduated high school. Patricia attended cosmetology school and worked in a salon in Grosse Point, MI until her marriage. Patricia married Airman Eugene Sherrod Fulghum on July 10, 1954. During their tenure as a military family, they lived in Michigan, Virginia, Japan, North Carolina, and finally in Rome, NY. A devout Christian, Patricia spent her life in service to others and was active in the life of the church wherever she was living. Among her endeavors she was Sunday school superintendent, VBS coordinator, choir member, LWML member, founding member of the Sew-n-Sews that made quilts for charity. She was a lifelong student of the Bible. Patricia often led devotions and Bible studies for various groups. She was a lifelong Lutheran and member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Rome, NY since 1970, when the family moved to Rome. In addition, she was also involved in both the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts where she served as a leader and Den Mother. Other charities she supported by both physical and financial assistance include, Habitat for Humanity, Wounded Warriors, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, and Diabetes Association. Pat was a superb cook and baker and gifted her extraordinary cookies and desserts to friends and neighbors especially when they were in need. Gardening was also a passion, and her yard was always full of her beloved flowers. During earlier years, she also tended a large vegetable garden and had apple trees and berries. The neighborhood children looked forward to harvest time knowing that she would send them away with bags of delicious apples.

Patricia, also known as Mimi by family, is survived by her children, Virgina DeMaio also known as Jenny, of Bowie, MD, Debra Wollaber of Rome, NY, Charles (Kelly) Fulghum also of Rome, NY. She has five grandchildren, Trisha (Jay) Kozokas, Claire (Andrew)DeMaio Germann, James (Sarah) DeMaio, Emily (Alexander) DeMaio Strachan, and Katie (Mike) Fulghum Elliot. Five great grandchildren, Emma St. Thomas, Sylvia DeMaio, Ezra Germann, Lucia Germann, and Julian Strachan, also survive her. Her family was extremely important to her, and she dedicated her life to the support, care, and nurturing of not only her immediate family but also to cousins, nieces, nephews, and treasured friends scattered across the country.

Our dear Mimi, left a legacy of commitment to her faith and her family. Her life was a shining example of what it means to be a Christian, she was kind, compassionate, and hardworking. She never shied from helping others and never forgot to proclaim the gospel to everyone she met. When departing from people she would say, “Always remember that Jesus loves you.” To our darling Mimi we say- Well done good and faithful servant. Rest in peace dear Mimi, knowing that you have been safely reunited with our Savior in heaven.

Family Visitation at 10am on Saturday, September 2, 2023, will be followed by a Memorial Service at 11:00am at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 502 West Chestnut Street, Rome, NY 13440. Burial at Rome Cemetery will follow. Family and friends are invited to a luncheon at the Franklin Hotel, 301 S. James St. Rome, NY 13440 following burial.

Memorial donations may be made to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church LWML. Put in memory of Patricia Fulghum on the memo line. Donations may be mailed to St. John’s Evangelical Church,502 West Chestnut St., Rome, NY 13440