Mary Katherine Fullerton

Funeral services for Mary Katherine Fullerton will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026 at Inola First Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Oakhaven Memorial Gardens in Claremore. Visitation will be held at MMS Payne Funeral Home in Inola, Ok Thursday from 1:00 to 7:00 p.m. , with family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00p.m.

Mary Katherine Fullerton passed away at home, surrounded by her family on October 26, 2026 at the age of 88. Mary was born September 5, 1938, in Shelby, Mississippi to James Shaffer and Marjorie (Schmitz) Walker. At a young age, her family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where she attended White Haven Schools. During this time, a friend introduced her to a young Marine named David Fullerton. The two began dating and were married on December 2, 1955.

Mary and David made their first home together in Hawaii where David was stationed during his military service. Following his discharge, they returned to Memphis where Mary began working as a cook at the restaurant located in the back of Walgreens store. In March 1960, their son Bennie was born and became the highlight of their life. In 1974 David’s work brought them to Oklahoma where they purchased a home in Tiawah. Mary continued her love for cooking by working in the Tiawah Schools and Claremore Public Schools. She eventually joined Northeast Votech as an assistant, a position that inspired her to return to college. She earned a Masters Degree from Pittsburgh State University in May 1996. Mary retired in 2004 after 29 years of service as a Domestic Occupational Service Instructor at Northeast Votech. In the years, following her retirement, she devoted her time for caring for her mother, alongside with her sister Dorothy.

Mary enjoyed many hobbies and past times, including gardening, visiting garage sales, and preparing favorite recipes for family and friends. Among her most beloved dishes were chicken and dumplings and shrimp gumbo, meals that brought loved ones together and reflected her love for cooking. Along with cooking another one of her favorite past times were enjoying watching her grandkids and great grandkids playing and enjoying life.

She was a proud member of Inola First Baptist Church, where she enjoyed participating in the Master`s Class and studying and discussing the Bible with fellow members.

Mary was proceeded in death by her husband, David Fullerton, her parents, James Walker, and Marjorie Perkins and Stepdad LD Perkins, her sisters Carolyn Jean Walker, and Ann Perkins and her brother Jerry Wayne Perkins.

Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Bennie Fullerton and his wife, Jean; grandchildren Andy Fullerton and his wife, Brenda; Jennifer Puryear and her husband, Dustin; and Dusty Bump and his wife, Kim ; great-grandchildren, Austin Fullerton and his wife, Jennifer, Baylee Chamberlain, Tomi Fullerton, Rowdy Bump, Hannah Patterson and her husband, Hunter; Cailey and her husband, Jake Myers; Jordan Puryear and his wife, Brooke; and Wyatt and Bella. Great-great grandchildren, Kutter, Tripp ,Blakely ,TImber, Talley, Harlee,Holston and Gwen. She is also survived by her sisters, Dorothy Wiginton, and Faye Newsom along with many other extended family members.