James "Bud" Anthony Fulgham

James Anthony "Bud" Fulgham, age 82 of Mathiston, Mississippi was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, January 9, 2026, surrounded by his wife and children at Baptist Memorial Hospital Golden Triangle in Columbus, Mississippi. Buddy was born on April 29, 1943, in Maben, Mississippi to the late Lavelle and Hazel Fulgham. Bud proudly served in the United States Navy aboard the minesweeper USS Enhance. He enjoyed sharing memories of his service with others, especially when they thanked him after noticing the Navy hat he so proudly wore. Bud retired from Gulf States in 2008 after twenty-four years as a top-notch welder. He was also a logger and was never one to shy away from hard work. He loved tending his garden and often spoke of getting Wayne to cut him a truck patch, even when he was no longer physically able to work it himself. He planted as much as he could so that he and Brenda could can vegetables to share with their family. Bud loved to travel, and it never mattered where he was going--whether on a cruise (and there were many), to Nashville, Tennessee to attend the Grand Ole Opry, or to Louisiana to visit Kim. He was always set on G and waiting on O ready at a moment's notice. When Wayne would say, "We're going to get a burger, do ya'll want to go?" The answer was always, "Yes". You never had to wait on Bud to be ready; he was always on the porch, waiting to be picked up. For his 80th birthday, he received a golf cart, which he used for his morning trips to the Quik Stop for coffee and chit-chat with the guys. Although he was no longer able to drive due to macular degeneration, the golf cart allowed him to maintain a sense of independence. Bud loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them. He especially loved talking about his grandchildren and their many accomplishments. Nothing made him prouder than when they asked him to make a boiler of dumplings, because Pawpaw's dumplings were simply better than anyone else's. Bud was a member of Maben First Baptist Church in Maben, Mississippi. He loved his church family and looked forward to gathering each week and fellowshipping afterward. Bud is survived by his loving wife of sixty-one and a half years, Brenda Fisackerly Fulgham of Mathiston, Mississippi; and their children, Janice (Mark) Mayo of Pontotoc, Mississippi, Beverly (Tom) Stafford of Clinton, Mississippi, Wayne (Bonnie) Fulgham of Maben, Mississippi, Kim Fulgham-Clay of Kenner, Louisiana and Craig (Laiken) Fulgham of Ackerman, Mississippi; grandchildren, Lee, Robert, Bradley, Rebecca, Kara, Kane, Mitchell, James Michael, Alyana, Jake, Emery, Kelsey and Carson; a host of great grandchildren; a sister, Sylvia (Mike) Weldon and a number of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Lavelle and Hazel Fulgham; a brother, David Fulgham and sisters, Myrna Eidson and Carol Loden. Funeral Services honoring the life of Mr. Bud will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Maben First Baptist Church in Maben, Mississippi. The family will receive friends and loved ones for a time of visitation on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 1:30PM until time for services at 3:00PM at Maben First Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Clear Springs Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. The Graveside/Committal Services will be held at Maben First Baptist Church instead of Clear Springs Cemetery. Rev. Tommy Temple will officiate the services. Pallbearers will be Mr. Bud's grandsons, Lee, Robert, Bradley, Kane, Mitchell, James Michael and Carson as well as Wayne Baker. Oliver Funeral Home of Eupora is honored to be entrusted with all arrangements for the Fulgham family.