Maben
Funeral Home
Welch Funeral Home
Visitation
Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 1-2 pm, Center Grove Baptist Church
Service
Wednesday, March 15, 2023, 2 pm, Center Grove Baptist Church
Obituary
Honoring a Fallen Hero, Who Served Within the Mississippi National Guard. “Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”
In recognition of our proud American tradition of honorable service which our military men and women have given to their country and our State, we honor a Fallen Hero. Our nation, our state, and the National Guard Association of MS (NGAMS) regard the memorializing of its retired military deceased as an honorable and sacred obligation.
Another great Soldier and Fallen Hero has been released from duty, passed from our ranks on March 11, 2023, and has moved on to his heavenly home. 1SG(Ret) James Michael Fulgham, age 71, a retired member of the MS Army National Guard, who had served within Btry B, 2nd Battalion, 114th Field Artillery Regiment, 155th BCT has departed and gone to a better place with our good Lord.
It takes a special person to serve within the military for their country, giving up their family time, comfort, and safety for their country, ultimately for all Americans to enjoy their freedoms, safety, and way of life. We now applaud you for your service to our country. A special message from General Douglas McArthur remains applicable today for our servicemen that have passed: “Old Soldiers never die; they just fade away”.
Rest in Peace Soldier. We applaud your patriotism and brave efforts in serving our country and your family for their support of your service. We thank you for your service. Without your efforts and your families’ support, our country would not stand so boldly, shine so bright and live so free.
You now have earned a rest, so go fly with the Angels, go rest high on that mountain; your work on earth is done. Go to heaven a-shoutin’ Love for the Father and the Son.
Fallen, Yet Not Forgotten”
Obituary, visitation, and service details:
James Michael Fulgham, 71, of Maben, MS passed away at his residence on March 11, 2023, after a brief illness. He was born October 21, 1951, in Oktibbeha County, MS and was a member of Center Grove Baptist Church. Michael graduated from Maben High School in 1969 and East Mississippi Community College with an AA degree in 1971. He went on to work for Herschede Hall Clock Company, Bryan Foods, and Flexsteel Industries.
Michael spent 36 years in the Mississippi Army National Guard, 2-114th, Field Artillery, B-Btry 155th Armored Brigade before retiring as Master Sergeant in 2007. He received several promotions and was awarded numerous medals, ribbons, badges, and honors during his service. He was deployed to serve in Operation Desert Storm/Shield in 1990; Operation Iraqi Freedom III in 2005.
In his free time, he enjoyed watching MSU sports and westerns, gardening and working in the yard, grilling for family cookouts, hunting, fishing, and woodworking.
Michael was preceded in death by his parents, James A. Fulgham, Jr., and Doris Pennington Fulgham. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Rhonda Knight Fulgham of 51 years; three daughters all of Maben, MS, Tracy Fulgham Britt (Chris), Leslie Fulgham Blakely (Jason), and Brenda Fulgham Clayton (fiancé, Chip). He was the beloved Pepaw of six grandchildren, Haley Britt Pritchard (Tanner), Hannah Britt, Dylan Blakely, Lindsey Blakely, Logan Clayton, Connor Clayton and one great grandchild, Jack Pritchard. Michael is also survived by five siblings, Carolyn Webster of Ridgeland, MS; Steven Fulgham (Julie) of Maben, MS; Cindy Casteel (Steve) of Brandon MS; Debbie Threet (J.R.) of Caledonia, MS; Amy Lasky (Paul) of Columbus, MS; and nine nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 15, 2023, from 1:00-2:00 pm with the funeral and military graveside service immediately following. All services will be held at Center Grove Baptist Church. Rev. Steve Casteel and Rev. Thad Moore will officiate.
Pallbearers: Matt Casteel, Brad Fulgham, Buck Johnson, Jerry Ray and Rodney Barksdale
The family would like to express our heart-felt thanks to the staff of Legacy Hospice for their genuine compassion and care.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org/donate) or Center Grove Baptist Church General Fund, 146 Center Grove Road, Maben, MS 39750.