Final Salute

Gaffney, SC – Oscar Macon Fuller, 98, of 215 S. Petty Street, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 18, 2023 at his residence.

Oscar was a native of North Carolina but spent most of his life in South Carolina having moved to Gaffney in 1951. He was the husband of the late Joyce Howell Fuller to whom he was married for 65 years. He then married the late Dorcas Hatcher Holman Fuller and was son of the late William Oliver Fuller and Fannie Macon Fuller.

He graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He served four years active duty in the U.S. Navy during World War II and retired as Commander in the Civil Engineering Corp (SeaBees).

His professional life was devoted to engineering, engineering management and to textile management. His employers have consisted of the cities Union, SC, Forest City, NC and Gaffney, SC with Milliken and Company, Lowenstein and Springs Industries. He started his professional career in engineering consulting and after retirement he consulted with several companies, mostly textile related. He came to South Carolina to manage the Gaffney Board of Public Works. He also managed Magnolia Finishing and worked for Spartanburg Research Center for Milliken.

God was an important part of his life. He served in numerous capacities in the First Baptist Church where he served as life deacon, Sunday School teacher for the Discipleship Class for over 50 years, and Chairman of a steering committee with an objective to assist the Church to be more effective in its ministries. He also served on the fundraising steering committee for the Family Life Center.

He served in various capacities in numerous civic organizations including the Chamber of Commerce in Gaffney and Union, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Club, Scouting, United Way and Rotary. He was a Rotarian since 1951 and served in Gaffney, Union, North Spartanburg and Jefferson, Georgia. He served as president of the Union Rotary Club, the Forest City, North Carolina Junior Chamber, and served as Chairman of Cherokee County Hospital for ten years.

He and his wife Joyce were ardent supporters of Limestone College contributing both resources and time. He served the College in various capacities including the Advisory Council and participated in numerous fund campaigns including leadership roles in several of them. He was named honorary alumnus of the College in 1996.

He was instrumental in organizing an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity of Cherokee County around 1993 and served as president from the beginning until 2001. He helped the affiliate execute a strategic plan to start developing a new thirty-five home subdivision including required finances. Oscar founded KNOW2 in December of 2010 and every year thereafter the Oscar Award, (named in his honor), was given to a worthy recipient.

Oscar is survived by a son, Mark Fuller (Jodi Massie) of Black Mountain, NC; a daughter, Anne Warf (Tom) of Charleston, SC; four grandchildren, Ahren Warf, Bryan Warf, Ellie Fuller and Aslan Fuller; a great-grandchild, Skyler Warf.

The family would like to express special thanks to Oscar’s caregivers, Tina Brown, Lisa Gales, Stacy Solesbee, Tabitha Byers, Jay Gibson and Sally Grindstaff.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 PM until 2:00 PM on Monday, October 23, 2023 at First Baptist Church. Funeral services will immediately follow at 2:00 PM at the Church with Dr. Tommy Huddleston and Reverend Kevin Hampton officiating. Interment, with military honors, will be in Oakland Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to: Kingdom First Living Ministries, 104 Cameron Lane, Gaffney, SC 29341.

The family will be at the residence, 215 S. Petty Street, Gaffney, SC 29340.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, SC

Published by The Gaffney Ledger on Oct. 20, 2023.