Doris Willene Bullock Fulton, 92, passed from this life on March 11, 2025, at her home in Rover, Tennessee, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Funeral services were held at Lawrence Funeral Home in Chapel Hill, on Thursday, March 13 at noon with Brother Steve Murphree officiating. Visitation began Wednesday evening at 4 p.m. She was laid to rest in her family cemetery, Maxwell Cemetery in Rover.
Willene was born on Groundhog Day, February 2, 1933, to the late William (Bill) Hatton Bullock and the late Elma Elizabeth (Brown) Bullock of the Rover community. She lived on her great-grandfather’s family farm and her childhood Bullock Farm in Rover for most of her life. She worked alongside her husband and children at the Bullock Egg Farm in Rover for fifteen years and later completed her employment with Mill End Fabrics (later renamed Hancock Fabrics) in Shelbyville where she helped make many fabric choices for their wardrobes. She was a homemaker for her family of six, and an excellent seamstress, making all of her family’s clothing. She was an avid reader who read 2- 3 books per week. She was the oldest living member of her beloved St. Paul Fellowship Church of Rover (formerly Methodist) where her great-grandfather and grandfather help establish and build. Willene loved history, especially of her family, and clipped many articles which she shared with us all.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William (Billie) Farrow Fulton after their marriage of 53 years; siblings, Thomas Bullock, John Edward (Nick) Bullock, Claudine (Bullock) Cunningham, and Nancy (Bullock) Harber; son-in-law, Walter Martin; great-grandchildren, Carson Hatchett, and Brooklyn George.
Willene was a hard-working woman who provided for her family through her many talents of sewing, gardening, canning, babysitting, cooking family dinners to just name a few She quietly went about her business not looking for glory or fanfare but just “got the job done.” She snapped her green beans while sitting in her recliner and then used her walker to stand by the canner to finish her job. She was famous for her annual gifts of fresh grape jelly. She carried on the long-time family tradition of making delicious homemade ice cream after her beloved husband Billie passed in 2004. Without realizing it, she set an example to her children and family how to be a servant to others. Her home overflowed during holidays and special events with the 50+ family members who always made their way back home. Family was established as the best foundation for all good things and will be handed down for generations to come. She made the springtime Easter egg hunt special for all grands…including great and great-great.
Willene was survived by a large and loving family. Her children, Amy (Walter) Martin of Unionville, Bobby (Pat) Fulton of Rover, Barbara (Tommy) Armstrong of Unionville, and Tom (Alicia) Fulton of Tullahoma. Grandchildren: Lee (Christy) Martin, Susan (Bryan) Pearson, Jon (Leslie) Martin; Kevin (Stephanie) Fulton, Joey Fulton, Michael Rutledge, Jason Fulton; Julie (Eric) Smith, Leslie Armstrong, Lori (Patrick) Harden; Ellyn (Aaron) White, Anna Fulton, Ben Fulton. Great-grandchildren: Alex Martin, Sarah Beth (Justin) Stallings, Chris Martin, Peyton Martin, Savannah Pearson, Brandon Pearson, Brianna Pearson, and Brayden Pearson, Hadley Martin, Bella Martin, Kalab Fulton, Thomas Upchurch, Trenton Upchurch, Justin Fulton, Cason Fulton, Aleigha (Trevor) Macfarlane, Kai Rutledge, Jackson Rutledge, Layla Fulton, Mason Smith, Sam Smith, William George, Jacob Harden, Gunner Harden, Sullivan White, and Mary Oliver White. Great-great grandchildren: Addison Brandon, Cayden and Easton Mullins, Charlee Lynn and Chesney Stallings, as well as many nieces and nephews; and brothers-in-law, Gene Cunningham, and Jerry Harber; sister-law Ruth Fulton. And lifelong friends, Marie Rowland Kephart and Norma June Blanton Miller. Devoted neighbors who became family, Eric and Sherry Perryman and family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to St. Paul Fellowship Church at Rover, 4432 Hwy 41A North, Rockvale, TN 37153. Lawrence Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 203 South Horton Pkwy, Chapel Hill, TN (931) 364-2233, (www.lawrencefuneral.net) in charge of arrangements.
