Ophelia Millsaps Fulton was born in Huntsville, at Huntsville Hospital, during the Great Depression. The youngest child of Arthur and Essie Millsaps, she grew up in a big house at the four way stop in the little community of Maysville in rural Madison County, where her parents farmed and ran the local general store.
Ophelia graduated from Madison County High School, received a bachelor’s degree from Florence State Teachers College and a master’s degree in education from George Peabody College for Teachers at Vanderbilt University.
Ophelia enjoyed teaching school and did so for 32 years. She spent the majority of her career with her favorite age group, 4th graders, at Chapman Elementary School. She also taught for a short time in the county and at Rison Junior High School. After retiring from Huntsville City Schools, Ophelia spent several years supervising student teachers at Athens State University and Alabama A&M University.
Everyone knew Ophelia for her flowers. Her passion for flowers and gardening brought great joy to her life. She worked daily in her garden and nothing made her happier than providing bouquets of flowers for friends and family. Being an early graduate of the Madison County Master Gardeners Program was a cherished accomplishment. She was also a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.
Ophelia lived the last three years of her life at Brookdale Hampton Cove where her caretakers were a great source of comfort and support during her struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. The staff at Brookdale became her friends – treating her with dignity, making her smile and letting her dance.
The family is grateful to Hospice Family Care for providing the support and care that enabled Ophelia to pass peacefully in her home surrounded by her loved ones.
She was predeceased by her husband, Edwin Thomas Fulton of Bellamy; infant daughter, Jean Marie Fulton; brother, Gerald Millsaps (Evelyn); and nephew, Jim Millsaps.
Ophelia is survived by her childhood sweetheart and husband, Robert Francis Nance; daughter, Susan Fulton King (Austin); grandson, Travis Edwin King; sister, Jean Millsaps Berry; and niece, Lynne Berry Valley (Joe).
Ophelia will be remembered by her family as a sweet and generous mother to Susan, a loving mother-in-law to Austin, and most of all for being an affectionate and caring grandmother to Travis.
Private arrangements will be handled by the family and memorials may be made to Therapy Partners, Inc. (for the Partners Achieving Literacy Program) at 3054 Leeman Ferry Road SW, Suite J, Huntsville, AL 35801.
