On June 15, 2020 Isobel Wyker Fulkerson passed away and received her promotion to spend eternity with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm. Ibby is survived by her husband, R Vance Fulkerson of Birmingham, AL; her brother, John William Wyker III (Catherine) of Decatur, AL; her three children Vance Fulkerson, Jr of Atlanta, GA, John P Fulkerson (Angie) of Birmingham, AL; and Edith Hayes – St. Clair (Rob) of San Diego, CA ; and 8 grandchildren; soon to be 9! Born in Decatur, AL on October 28, 1946, Ibby was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John William Wyker, Jr. After growing up in Decatur, Ibby attended the University of Alabama where she met and married (Sep 9, 1965) her husband of 55 years, R Vance Fulkerson. Ibby and Vance have lived most of their life in Birmingham, but also 9 years on Hilton Head Island, SC. Ibby and Vance have attended Church of the Highlands for the last 9 years and have served as part of the Legacy team, and led small groups in their home. She loved life to the fullest, always excited about what opportunities any given day might hold for her to share her faith in a compelling and winsome way. Ibby lived her life very intentionally and her ministry to others took place usually in the otherwise ordinary routine of daily life. Whether on a grocery store isle, going to the cleaners, running errands, or getting gasoline, she made it a point to go up to people and say, “so tell me your story”, which always turned an ordinary event into a divine encounter. Then she would share with her husband later that day or the next morning when they would spend time together in the early morning reading the Bible together and praying about the day ahead. If you wanted or needed anyone praying for you, you couldn’t find a more faithful prayer warrior than Ibby. She was always upbeat and full of God’s joy and it showed in her countenance, radiating on the outside the quality of what existed on the inside. Ibby had a wonderful sense of humor and was more interested in hearing about your life than sharing about hers unless she thought that some aspect of her story might minister to someone else. She was a wonderful listener and one you could feel comfortable sharing your deepest pain with. As one friend commented upon hearing of her passing, “I have never known anyone who could sense what you were feeling and desire to help the hurt like she could”! If Ibby ever heard others say that they would like or needed something, she would find a way to get it and send or give it to you in short order! And her generous spirit was an example to all and just seemed endless. She seldom spent any money on herself always preferring to do something for someone else! Whatever she had was yours and whatever she could do for you delighted her heart. As a friend shared just today, “Ibby had a view of eternity and a clear view of this temporary life”! The outpouring of text and email messages about her impact in the lives of so many individuals have been overwhelming and our family is so grateful for each person that has shared how Ibby impacted their lives, one individual at a time. She particularly enjoyed developing relationships with the lowly, unnoticed, and disenfranchised. She was loved by many and will be dearly missed but we rejoice that she is with the many loved ones who preceded her. Her legacy will be one of someone who would always find time to listen to others, pray faithfully for you, and cheerfully give you anything she had to give. She was a behind the scenes spiritual giant and a mighty example of one who walked with and served Jesus Christ in a powerful way to all of her friends and those in her family. This legacy she deposited into her children and grandchildren has been priceless. She will be missed! In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Isobel W Fulkerson Generosity Fund and mail those donations to 4350 1st Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35222. There will be a family graveside burial at 11 AM at Elmwood Cemetery on Friday June 19, 2020 followed by a “Celebration of Life” service at Church of the Highlands Chapel at the Grants Mill campus on July 30, 2020 at 1 o’clock.
