Mary Eugenia "Genie" Mills Fulcher

Mary Eugenia (Genie) Mills Fulcher passed away at her home on Tuesday, February 20th after an extended illness. She was born in Worcester, MA, to Harold LeRoy and Rosabel Lanier Mills on November 6, 1939. She lived in Auburn, MA, until 1950 when she moved to Millen, GA. She graduated from Jenkins County High School, Class of 1957. She continued her education at Emory-at-Oxford (Oxford College of Emory University) and graduated in 1959. At Oxford, she met the love of her life, Robert Miller (Bobby) Fulcher and married him on June 21, 1963. After graduating from Emory University, School of Nursing in 1962 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, she taught nursing at University Hospital’s School of Nursing in Augusta, GA. She moved to Athens after getting married and worked in the University of Georgia Infirmary. She and Bobby moved back to Waynesboro in 1965 to serve the people of Waynesboro in nursing and pharmacy. In 1967, John LeRoy (Lee) was added to the family and followed by Robert Eugene (Gene) in 1969. From 1970 to 1985, she worked for Dr. Charles G. Green, Sr. as his registered nurse and office manager. They adopted each other as brother and sister, since both were only children. After his retirement, Genie thought she had retired but returned to work as the nurse for Ogeechee Mental Health. In 1992, she joined the faculty of Swainsboro Technical Institute, where she taught Medical Assisting, Dental Assisting, and Nursing. During her tenure at Swainsboro Technical, she graduated with a Master’s in Education and continued to obtain her Educational Doctorate in Curriculum (EdD). Her thesis received national recognition, grants for preservation of history and research. With her advance degree, Genie served as the National Chairperson of the Medical Assisting Educational Review Board (MAERB) which was responsible for being sure Medical Assisting Programs throughout the United States meet standards of curriculum design and delivery. With her expertise in nursing and Bobby’s in pharmacy, they authored and published six textbooks related to the medical profession. These textbooks continue to be used in numerous medical programs. A True Blue Georgia Southern University football fan, she followed the Eagles to all the games from 1985 to 1991 to support the Eagles and her sons on the team. She was a loyal and supporting and attended all home games until 2022. Prior to her son’s being a part of Georgia Southern football, the Fulchers went to all the Georgia games in Athens and road trips. She continued to support both universities and loved enjoying sports with her family. Family was always the most important part of her life. In 1981, her family was chosen by the Georgia Federation of Women’s Club to be the Georgia State Family of the Year for services to community, dedication to family, and leadership as entire family. She served numerous leadership positions with Burkeland Garden Club, Town and County Woman’s Club, and Burke County Woman’s Club. One of joys was serving as a Sunday school teacher, co-coordinator of Methodist Youth Fellowship with her husband, and singing in the church choir, as well as, the community choir. She volunteered her time and served on other community board and committees including Waynesboro- Burke County Concert Series, Edmund Burke Academy Parent Teacher Organization and was one of founders who obtained funding and charter for Drug-Free Burke, non-profit organization. Genie served on the Alumni Board for Georgia Southern University and continued to serve on the Georgia Southern University, College of Education Advisory until 2024. She is survived by her sons, Lee (Waynesboro), Gene (Atlanta), grandchildren Mac (Savannah) and Allie (Atlanta), her best friend of 81 years and chosen sister, Gail Chance Voyles; her sister-in-law, Betty Fulcher Purkey, Lanier family, Freeman family, and Green family. The family thanks Vickey Bates as her devoted caregiver, her chosen daughter, Dr. Bonnie Jenkins, MD, Dr. Sharad Ghamande, MD, and the Augusta University Oncology staff. Visitation will be held at the residence, 3168 Herndon Road, Waynesboro, GA from 5:30PM – 7:30PM on Friday, February 23, 2024. Services will be held at Waynesboro First Methodist Church on Saturday, February 24, 2024, at 11:00 AM with Rev. Keith Cox officiating. Burial will follow at Magnolia Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Wally Bryson, Dr. Walter G. Green, Woody Huggins, Ted Perkins, Gerald Keller, Lyle Myers, Brad Trower, and Frank Hook. Honorary pallbearers are Jenkins County Class of 1957, Monday, and Tuesday Bridge Club. In lieu of flowers, the family request donation be made to First Methodist Church of Waynesboro, Burke County Public Library, or Georgia Southern University College of Education Foundation. Chance and Hydrick Funeral Directors, 2502 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, GA 30906 www.chanceandhydrick.com

Mary Eugenia "Genie" Mills Fulcher

November 6, 1939 - February 20, 2024