Melva Case Fulmer

is honored with a Brick from Jacqueline Chapman, Phyllis Fast, and Janet Johnson.

1945-1997

Melva Case Fulmer's life was dedicated to education, devoting much of her time to her students, family and friends. It was this lifelong dedication to education--so important to and prevalent in Melva's life that set her apart from others. Her quiet dedication was never-ending, as there was no 5:00 quitting time for Melva. Her daily schedule always included preparation for her students in some manner, whether it be for classes the next day, supporting their extracurricular activities, or learning something new which might be helpful to them.

Obstacles did not exist for Melva, as she simply ignored them in order to move ahead to her more important goals, educating and helping others. Her insistence that her students, family, and friends become the best they could be by getting the best education possible was of paramount importance to her. If Melva couldn't push you into education, she tried every means possible to encourage you, or somehow invent ways to coerce you to better yourself.

Melva was our friend and mentor, but more importantly, an inspirational role model, demonstrating by example that education is one of the primary keys to better living. Melva pursued the high road of education, always stressing how important it is to keep on learning. To Melva, education was life; she never stopped educating herself and others.

After Melva's high school graduation in 1963, she attended two years of junior college before enrolling at Wichita State University. After graduating with an education degree in 1967, Melva later returned to WSU, and in 1972 completed a masters degree in counseling. The majority of her 31 years as teacher and counselor was spent in the Wichita school system.

After leaving the Wichita school system in June, 1997, to live and teach in Louisiana, Melva was killed in an automobile accident in July, 1997.

Submitted by Phyllis Fast, friend since 1966; Janet (Fast) Johnson, friend since 1966; and Jacqueline Moreno Chapman, teaching colleague at John Marshall Middle School

July 16, 1998