Louise Fuller

Louise Childress Fuller was born to Rufus and Anna Lou Childress on a summer day in the apple orchards of Boones Mill, Va. Her life began on July 21, 1924 in the beautiful Virginia countryside, and ended peacefully on September 28, 2018 after a long and joyful life.

The third of four children, Louise was a loving sister to Reba Childress Manglesdorf and younger brother Edward Alexander Childress; as well as an older brother, Roger William Childress; all of whom preceded her in death.

Louise grew up on the apple farm and recalled her childhood years fondly. Upon graduation from high school, she attended National Business College in Roanoke, Va. Soon after, she made her way to Washington, D.C. and worked proudly as a secretary for the U.S. Navy War Department. Her next job assignment at Capital Airlines would bring her lifelong love and adventure; it’s where she met her husband of 64 years, George Beverly Fuller. They married on June 4, 1949 in Washington, D.C. They settled in Springfield, Va. where they built their home and family together, welcoming three girls to their family: Diana, Pamela, and Beverly. Louise spent these years in Springfield as a homemaker, enjoying her girls and many hobbies.

In 1968, Louise & George moved their family to San Francisco, a very different place from Boones Mill or even Springfield, but Louise embraced the change and returned to work, this time in a position at Xerox, and later for the City of Belmont Planning Department. She remained in California until 1985, when she returned to Virginia to retire and care for her own parents, settling in Lynchburg, Va. Upon her retirement, Louise was an active member of Memorial Christian Church and later First Christian Church. She was an avid volunteer for the retired employees of United Airlines (formerly Capital). When she wasn’t volunteering, you could often find her at the Jamerson YMCA with her beloved George, taking a water aerobics class, or in her garden enjoying her flowers. She was an avid traveler who loved the warm ocean waters of Hawaii and the colorful rose gardens of Portland. Her green thumb was legendary in the family, as was her sewing expertise. She could mend, repair, assemble, quilt, create, and sew almost anything imaginable; a skill she acquired growing up on the farm. Louise was a fabulous cook with tasty instructions scrolled out on recipe cards in her beautiful long and cursive handwriting. She enjoyed poetry, genealogy, and Johnny Cash records. She remained active throughout her life and took devoted care of her husband George until his passing in 2014. Louise spent her final years at Heritage Green where she was lovingly attended to by CoCo Chapman and her kind team that made Louise’s transition peaceful. Louise will be missed by her three daughters, nine grandchildren, and five great grandchildren: Daughters: Diana Hart (Phil) of Lynchburg; Pamela Appel (Joe) of Pleasant Hill, Calif.; and Beverly Fuller of Windsor, Calif.; Grandchildren: Stephanie Hart and husband Paul Smith, Jennifer Hart and husband Scott Graber, Michael Appel, Thomas Appel and wife Kimberly, Jayne Marinelli and husband Christopher, Nathaniel Appel, Ashley Reed and husband Morgan, Erin Hartman, and Jonathan Hartman; Great-grandchildren: Bella Graber, Zoë Graber, Liv Graber, Caroline Smith, Jordan Smith, Shea Marinelli, and Evelyn Appel.

Visitation will take place at Tharp Funeral Home on the evening of Tuesday, October 2, 2018 from 5 to 7 p.m. Services will take place at First Christian Church on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 11 a.m.

Memorial Contributions can be made to Habitat for Humanity, 360 Alleghany Avenue, Lynchburg, VA 24501.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit obituaries.tharpfuneralhome.com.