Barbara Jean Fulton
Barbara Jean Fulton was born February 4, 1951 to Robert and Evelo Fulton in Charlotte, Michigan and passed peacefully from this world on June 6, 2025. This is how most obituaries begin, but as Barbara has requested, this one will not be a listing of things she did or places she lived or attended school. This, at her request and wholly in true celebration of her life, is a collaborative effort and focuses on the values, principles, beliefs, and ideals that formed her character, reflected her passion and created her legacy.
From the very beginning, she was loving and loyal, devoted to her extended family and friends. She was curious and interested in learning from every interaction with people, nature, academia, and all aspects of problem-solving. She was courageous and adventurous, and a collector; of people, animals, rocks, and ideas. Most of all, she was a creative thinker and educator, innovator and collaborator. Barbara used her experience, compassion, and endless energy to bring ideas to fruition. She imagined and believed in possibilities and the people who could and would implement them.
Barbara embodied living a life with purpose and abundance. Her efforts in bringing AL!VE into being at a time when most were focused on economic downturn, was a triumph of belief in the healing power of generosity. As Director of Eaton Community Health, she reinvigorated the collaboration among social service agencies and focused on the “upstream” solutions to healthcare problems. The phrase “healthy communities” in measuring the impact of programming owes much to Barbara’s involvement.
Anyone, family, friend, or stranger who met Barbara found that she was not one for “small talk”, but instead asked questions designed to find commonality and, even better, a shared passion for a hobby, a cause, course of study or other pursuit. She had an extraordinary gift for reminding us that moments matter, that shared laughter, simple gestures, and meaningful experiences are where life’s deepest joys are found. A nurturer in the truest sense, she taught by example that generosity and connection come from sharing time, attention, belief, and love.
Barbara was an ultimate event planner. Her parties, whether for family, friends, community, business or a club always had a theme (and usually wine!) Whatever the purpose, people had a wonderful experience, in large part because Barbara focused on the enjoyment of those attending. In addition to events she planned, Barbara showed up for her family and friends, She attended games, concerts, graduations and other events for her siblings, nieces, nephews and on down to the next generations. No one was a greater cheerleader than Aunt Barbara.
She leaves behind a legacy of creativity, imagination, collaboration, dedication and generosity of spirit. Barbara was a shining example of a life beautifully lived. Barbara is survived by her beloved husband, Richard Butman, with whom she shared so many adventures, interests and experiences; her siblings, Christi (Tom) Dutcher, Kathie (Chuck) Cook and Mike (Janice) Fulton; her cousins, Wes Fredenburg and Sarah Collick; her nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Doug) Reed, Becky (Bob) Elkins, Matt (Jessica Hix) Cook, Rob (Shannan) Cook, Ben (Chelsea) Fulton, Emily (Aki) Zecic and Andrew (Alyssa) Fulton; as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews, many more extended family members and a host of friends and collaborators.
Friends are encouraged to support Barbara’s family by attending services or sharing memories on her Tribute Page at www.prayfuneral.com. Visitation is from 2:00 – 4:00 and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at Pray Funeral Home in Charlotte. A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, June 23, 2025 at First Congregational Church of Charlotte. Interment will take place in Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte. The funeral will be webcast so you may watch it from any computer, smartphone, or mobile device that has internet access. Go to www.prayfuneral.com, click on Barbara’s tribute, then click on Photos and Videos from your computer (or Media from your smart phone). Memorial contributions may be made to Eaton Community Health (ECH), the Charlotte Generosity Fund or the Forest Garden Project. The family is in the care of Pray Funeral Home, Charlotte.