Claude Fulghum, Jr.

Claude Wilmer Fulghum, 79, formely of St. Pauls died Tuesday March 25, 2014 in Rolling Green Village in Greenville, South Carolina. He was born February 18, 1935 in Wilson, North Carolina to the late Claude Wilmer and Argie Bright Dawson Fulghum. Claude graduated from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, NC, and he began his banking career at the Bank of Wilson, and then moved to Raleigh, NC, when the bank merged with First Union National Bank.  His family moved to St. Pauls in 1971, when he accepted the city executive position at First Union.  This is where his family made their home, and he invested himself in the community that he loved.  Claude served as town commissioner for four years, and was elected Mayor of St. Pauls in 1977, a position he held for the next 17 years.  He retired from First Union in St. Pauls in 1996.  He was a member of the St. Pauls United Methodist Church. Preceded in death by his wife, Bette Fulghum, and his sister, Mary Ellen Fulghum Pridgen, he is survived by his son, Richard Fulghum of Taylors, South Carolina; daughter Janet F. Mize and her husband Dr. Douglas Mize of Greer, SC; grandchildren, Rachel Elizabeth Mize, Mary Katherine Mize and Kayla Elise Mize; sister-in-law, Dr. Janet A. Sipple of Bethleham, PA; and 2 nephews and 4 nieces. Visitation will be Thursday March 27, 2014 from 6:00-8:00 PM at McNeill Mackie Funeral Home of St. Pauls with a Memorial Services scheduled for Friday March 28, 2014 at 1:00 PM at St. Pauls United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Pauls United Methodist Church, 519 N. Wilkinson Dr., St. Pauls, NC 28384 or the Loflin-Walker Christmas Fund, PO Box 426, St. Pauls, NC 28384. Arrangements by McNeill Mackie Funeral Home of St. Pauls.