FULLER, Carolyn Jean

The Daily Courier, Prescott, Arizona Thursday, November 25, 2010 Carolyn Jean Knapp Fuller passed away on Nov. 19, 2010, at the age of 82. She was born in Concordia, Kan., on June 10, 1928. A talented cellist, Carolyn met Gilbert Wesley Fuller, her future husband, while they were in high school playing in a regional youth orchestra. They married in 1948 when he returned from World War II and were married 57 years. She lived with her very active family on the banks of Spring River in Riverton, Kan., then moved to Joplin, Mo., headquarters of Gil's company, Empire District Electric Company. Carolyn and Gil attended the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan. Later, Carolyn attended Pittsburgh State University in Pittsburgh, Kan., where she earned both baccalaureate and master's degrees with honors. She was a gifted grade school teacher, teaching for more than 30 years, first in Baxter Springs, then in Riverton, Kan. She became known for her ability to teach science, many times designing experiments for her students. When Carolyn retired and moved to Prescott in 1990, she and Gil traveled extensively around the country as a training team with Lay Renewal Ministries. Not wanting to give up teaching so soon, she assisted as a volunteer at Miller Valley School. In Prescott, Carolyn fulfilled her longtime goal of attending clown school, where she graduated with "flying colors." She became "Hug-a-Me" The Clown and spent many years with other members of her Clown Alley volunteering in the Prescott area, at Yavapai Regional Medical Center and in related facilities. She specialized in laughter therapy, inventing the "cat" scan. Carolyn delighted in the company of others and was involved in her community. Carolyn was an active member of affinity and activist organizations, including the P.E.O Sisterhood, Girl Scouts of America, Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Nile, Daughters of the British Empire, Scots of Prescott and Beta Sigma Phi. She and Gil joined Trinity Presbyterian Church in Prescott in 1992, where they participated in study and music programs for many years. Carolyn is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Carl and Lynn Knapp of Prescott; her daughter and son-in-law, Christine and Tom Scheuneman of Corona del Mar, Calif.; and her sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Donna Fuller of Independence, Missouri and David and Cynthia Fuller of Huntsville, Ala. She is survived by seven grandchildren, Jason, Stephen, Stephanie, Whitney, Philip, Jacob and Rachel; and two great-grandchildren, Ashley and Shanna. Services will be on Dec. 6, 2010, at 10 a.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Hampton Funeral Home. Please visit www.hamptonfuneralhome.com to sign Carolyn's guestbook. Information provided by survivors.