Carleton Fuller

Carleton Smith Fuller, age 80, died peacefully on July 11, 2022, in Knoxville, TN.

Carleton was born on July 1, 1942, in Atlanta, GA. He grew up with his parents and brothers in Lookout Mountain, GA, and Atlanta where he attended The Westminster Schools. As the second born of three boys, Carleton was simply known as “Brother” or “Brud” to his family. Carleton earned a tennis scholarship to the University of Georgia where he played for four years for the legendary coach Dan Magill. Carleton was a member of Kappa Alpha fraternity at UGA and graduated in 1964 to pursue a career in business.

An accomplished salesman, Carleton’s career took him to Greensboro, NC, and Memphis, TN, but he spent most of his adult life in Atlanta and Birmingham, AL. His favorite positions were with Towle Silver in Memphis and SouthTrust Bank in Birmingham.

In 2015, Carleton suffered an infection that would drastically alter his future and eventually lead to his death. During the 7½ years between this infection and his passing, Carleton found great joy in reconnecting with old friends from the various places he had lived. Carleton never met a stranger. He was tremendously empathetic and made everyone around him feel welcomed. Carleton had a wonderful sense of humor and was a colorful storyteller. Many of his stories and expressions endure as “Fullerisms.”

Carleton was a devout Christian who enjoyed building relationships through his faith. Carleton had an enormous heart and capacity to love and serve others. When you ask people who knew Carleton what they remember most about him, many will say that he was there for them in a time of greatest need.

Carleton is preceded in death by his parents, Deas Frost Fuller (n é e Smith) and Thomas Fuller, both of Atlanta, GA. He is survived by his brothers: Thomas Fuller (Karen) of Atlanta and Dr. Samuel P. Fuller (Carol Ann) of Richmond, VA; five children: Ellen Lambeth Fuller and Mary Deas “Molly” Summitt (Josh) of Memphis, Carleton Smith Fuller, Jr. (Leslie) of Birmingham, Margaret Anne Ramirez (Matthew) of Knoxville, TN, and Orvis Milner Fuller (Mary Jo) of Indianapolis; six granddaughters: Maria and Lila Summitt of Memphis, Amelie and Olivia Fuller of Birmingham, and Eleanor and Eliza Fuller of Indianapolis; and former spouses Mary Jane Lambeth Fuller of Memphis and Rebecca Milner Fuller of Knoxville.

A public service will be held at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Knoxville on July 29, 2022, at 4 PM ET, and it can be viewed live at https://vimeo.com/ knoxvilleascension . In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in Carleton’s memory to your favorite charities.