Jerry Suite Fulford, 77, of Clanton, passed away Jan. 20 at his residence.

He was born on March 4, 1938, in Isabella, the son of the late Howard Mixon Fulford and the late Winifred Suite Fulford.

He was a 1956 graduate of Chilton County High School and a 1960 graduate of Alabama College (University of Montevallo), where he was captain and second baseman of the very first baseball team fielded at the college in 1958.

In 1960, he began his teaching career at Thompson High School in Shelby County and served as math teacher for two years. He returned to Chilton County in 1962 and retired from the Chilton County Board of Education after 31 years of service.

From 1962-1993 he served as a math teacher and five years as vice principal at Adair Middle School, 27 years as a school bus driver, and 25 years as a teacher for the General Education Development (GED) program.

He was a faithful member and Sunday School teacher of Highland Baptist Church.

His hobbies included baseball and hunting.

Surviving are his daughters, Kathy Grate (Myrle) of Wetumpka, Kay Cleckler (Harold) of Clanton; sons, Kyle Fulford of Clanton, Frank Wilkins (Demerece) of Roundup, Mont., Mike Wilkins (Connie) of Randolph; grandchildren, Micah and Anna Grate, Nikki Wilson (Derric), Chasity Wilson (Chris), Jennifer Lunceford (Donald), Candace Martin (Adam), Courtney Hughes (Keith), Casey Wilkins; great-grandchildren, Caleb and Logan Wilson, Savannah and Hannah Ellison, A.J. and Abby Martin, Lindsey Wilson, Laney Lunceford, Colt Hughes and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 21 years, Lorene Mae Fulford; father, Howard Mixon Fulford; mother, Winifred Suite Fulford; brother, Jimmy Howard Fulford and a grandchild.

Friends will be received from 5-7 p.m. Jan. 22 at Highland Baptist Church.

Services will be held Jan. 23 at 11 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Griffin Jr. officiating.

Interment will follow in Chilton Memorial Gardens in Clanton.

No flowers, but donations may be sent to Highland Baptist Church.

Martin Funeral Home directing.

You may leave online condolences for the family on the guest registry at www.martinfuneralhomeinc.com.