Gale McDonnell Fuller passed away on December 27, 2024, at the age of 81.
Gale was born in Lawton, OK, on March 6, 1943, to William Thornton and Lucille McMullan (Fox) McDonnell, both of Jackson, MS. She was raised in Jackson and Brandon, MS, and graduated from Murrah High School in 1961. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Education from Millsaps College in 1965. While at Millsaps, Gale was an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority, which led to a life of service through the sorority. Throughout her life, Gale served in various leadership roles in Kappa Delta, ranging from Province President to National Vice President-Extension.
After graduating, Gale moved to Atlanta, GA to teach school in Dekalb, Co and later Fulton Co. There, she met the love of her life and beloved husband, William “Bill” Fuller. They were married for 56 years.
Bill and Gale moved to Huntsville in 1968 for Bill’s work. When Bill was called to active military service from the Army Reserves in 1968 and assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C., Gale taught school in Fayetteville, NC, and later, after Bill returned from Vietnam, in Opelika, AL.
Bill and Gale moved back to Huntsville in 1970, where Gale continued teaching in the Huntsville Public School system. During the 1980s she was a successful manager with Tupperware sales.
Gale was known for her strong will, unwavering determination, and love and support for her family and community. Along with her husband, she was an active member of First United Methodist Church for over 50 years and, later, Latham Church, both in Huntsville, AL. In addition to her volunteer work with Kappa Delta, Gale enjoyed extensive travels and family genealogy research. She was a member of the Col. Walter Aston Chapter National Society Colonial Dames XVIIC, the Alabama Company Jamestowne Society, the Society of the Descendants of Washington’s Army at Valley Forge, Alabama Brigade, the Judge David Campbell Chapter Daughters of the American Colonists, the Rachel Jackson Chapter National Society United States Daughters of 1812 and the National Society Magna Charta Dames and Barons. She was a talented seamstress, needleworker, and creative.
She is survived by her husband, Bill; daughter, Elizabeth “Liz” Anne Fuller Stoll, and husband, Buck Stoll; grandchildren, Conner Reed Stoll, William Fuller Stoll, and Sarah Thornton Stoll; sisters, Anne (Paul) Tarantino and Betsy (Bob) Powers; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
Gale will be buried in Auburn, AL, at Memorial Park Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at Latham Church at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to Manna House in Huntsville, AL, in Gale’s name.
