Teri Ruth Fulghum

She was born May 20, 1958 in Columbus, OH, to Don F. and Marjorie J. Vansant. She was the youngest of four children with two brothers, Craig C. Vansant, and Boyd K. Vansant; and her sister, Cheri Jean Vansant.

Her family moved to the Valley of the Sun in 1969, living in Mesa and then moving to Scottsdale. She graduated from Coronado High School with the class of 1976. Teri was very involved with the choir and the drama department. Her father taught in the Scottsdale school district and her mother ran her own tour and shopping business.

After high school she got a job at K-Mart where she met her future husband, Robert Fulghum. Robert went on to work for First National Bank of Arizona and Teri became a stay-at-home mom for their three children, Anna, Sarah, and Robert (Robby). Teri did childcare in the home until all three of the children were in school, then she got a job in Food Services in the Scottsdale School District. Later she was hired by Federated Department Stores and worked there for many years. She took time off to take care of her mother until her mother passed away. Teri then spent several years taking care of some of the grandchildren before stopping due to health reasons.

Teri was very involved in her local church working with children and youth. Teri went to many camps and retreats where she was a strong leader and wonderful example of Christian service for the students. Teri was also involved in Brownies and Girl Scouts with her daughters as they grew up.

Teri’s illness progressed slowly, taking away her ability to care for herself and eventually to communicate.

Teri was preceded in death by her parents, Don and Marjorie; her brother Boyd; and her first stillborn son Mathew Christian Fulghum.

Teri is survived by her husband of 46 years, Robert E Fulghum Jr; her brother, Craig and her sister, Cheri. She is also survived by her three children, Anna Catherine Toscano of Mesa, AZ; Sarah Elizabeth Crawford of Tempe, AZ; and Robert Edward Fulghum III of Phoenix, AZ; and eight grandchildren, Avery, Allison, and Amber Toscano of Mesa, AZ; Mason, and Jackson Fulghum of Phoenix, AZ; and Bruce, Wade and Jade Crawford of Tempe, AZ.