CUMBERLAND — Gail Elizabeth Fulmer, 63, died Dec. 6 at home in Cumberland with her daughter Kelli by her side after a courageous struggle with supranuclear palsy.
On Feb. 27, 1947, she was born in Scotia, Calif., a daughter of Edward Sanford and Vivian Lewis, and had a loving upbringing in Whitethorn, Calif., surrounded by her grandparents and four siblings, Charmian, Jack, Eddie and Bruce.
She attended high school at South Fork Union High School in Miranda, Calif., graduating in 1965.
In 1969, she met her future husband, Samual DeVon Hartzell Fulmer, and created a blended family of six children, including her three children, Kyle, Kent and Kelli, and his three children, Vonai, Brenda and Sonny.
In 1977, they added a seventh child when she gave birth to their son, Galen. With a limitless amount of motherly love, she also became a foster mother in 1981 to another son, Angel, and also took in a neighbor boy, Tim, after he lost his parents at a young age.
While her husband ran a home-based business, she would often host employees and visitors from 5 a.m. through dinner, cooking and accomodating all without complaint.
After the children were grown, she and her husband moved from California to Grants Pass, Ore., where they enjoyed visits from their children and their families.
Over the years, despite her declining health from complications with diabetes, she had a sweet, soft nature that endured life's hardships.
A loving wife, mother and friend, she will be remembered by those who knew here as a very special woman.
Survivors include her children, Kyle Murry Sanford, Kelli Sherme Parker, Kent Allen Sanford, Angel Sarmiento, Galen Von Hartzell, and her stepchildren, Faye Vonai Graham, Brenda LaVon Carpenter and Samual DeVon "Sonny" Hartzell; her grandchildren, Justin, Seth, Melissa, Willie, Crystal, Ethan, Elizabeth, Angel, Alex, Allena, Tara, Arial, Ruby, Raena, Thomas, Janai, Victoria, Gordon, McKinzie, Brittnay, Tara, Daja, Jonah, Hunter, Galen, Anessa, Austin and Sabria; her great-grandson: Tristen; her brothers, Jack Sanford, Bruce Picton and Edward Sanford; and her beloved dachshund, Sophie.
She was predeceased by her husband of 40 years, Samual DeVon Hartzell, in 2009, and also by her sister, Charmian Rhodes.
A graveside service will be held in Colma, Calif., on Saturday, Dec. 18.
Memorial donations may be sent to Kent Sanford, 5845 Sardine Creek, Gold Hill, OR 97525.
Funeral arrangements were jointly made by Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, and Cypress Lawn in Colma, Calif.
Please visit lindquistfuneralhome.com to share condolences, memories and tributes with her family.