Edward “Allen” Fulton

Published 9:54 am Friday, February 2, 2018

Edward “Allen” Fulton
Montevallo

Mr. Edward “Allen” Fulton died peacefully at home following a yearlong battle with brain cancer on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the age of 74.

Allen was born on Aug. 22, 1943 in Alabaster to John Fulton and Frances (McDaniel) Fulton, the youngest of five children.

He graduated from Thompson High School in 1961 and earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Alabama College in Montevallo in 1965. He taught for one year at Handley High School in Roanoke, before returning to Shelby County as a government and economics teacher at his alma mater, Thompson High School. He obtained his master’s degree in administration and supervision from the University of Alabama, was promoted to assistant principal and then became principal of Thompson High School in 1971.

Though his accomplishments as principal were many, he was most gratified by his involvement in creating the DAY Program, which serves at-risk adolescents and their families and has been used as a model for education in other communities.

Allen left Thompson High School in 1985 and moved into the central office of the Shelby County Board of Education where he served the students and families of Shelby County in positions of increasing responsibility until he retired as Assistant Superintendent of Operations in 2000.

In this second phase of his career, his talent for construction was realized, and following his retirement he began a second career with Lathan Associates Architects where he worked until the end of 2016. He was involved in some manner with virtually all of the school construction and renovation during Shelby County’s population boom beginning in ­the early 1990s up to today.

Allen was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster (formerly Elliottsville Presbyterian Church) and was ordained to the Church Session in 2016. He was an avid rider of Tennessee Walking Horses for five decades, a lover of music, and an excellent dancer. He is remembered by friends, family, and thousands of former students for his brilliant smile, his generous nature, his sage advice, and an unwavering ability to see potential in everyone.

Allen is survived by his wife, Betty (Johnston) Fulton, to whom he was married for 41 years; daughter, Andrea (Fulton) Sligh, and son-in-law, Scott Sligh of Fairhope; grandchildren, Sarah Kate and Nathan; stepdaughter, Rhonda Cubbedge of Harahan, Louisiana; sister, Mary Russell Brooks of Birmingham; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, John Fulton and Frances (McDaniel) Fulton, and three brothers, Bob Lawley, Bill Lawley, and Jim Mack Lawley.

A celebration of Allen’s life is scheduled for noon on Saturday, Feb. 3 at First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster. The family will receive friends beginning at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The DAY Program at 117 Plaza Circle, Alabaster, AL 35007 or to First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster at P.O. Box 650, Alabaster, AL 35007.