Valerie “Jo” Fuller, 84, passed peacefully in her home in Durham, North Carolina the morning of May 16th, 2025 with her loving children at her side. Jo was a beautiful petite woman known for her quick laugh, feisty spirit and love of having fun with those who were special to her.
Born Valerie Jo Perry in 1941 to her parents of Wayne County, West Virginia, the family soon settled in Point Pleasant, West Virginia where she spent most of her idyllic childhood. It was these fond memories of the family farm on Perry Ridge as well as her upbringing in a small town that formed an unwavering loyalty to her mountaineer roots throughout her life. This loyalty persisted even when the family moved to Los Angeles where Jo attended Hamilton High School and to Las Vegas where she graduated from Las Vegas High School in 1958 before attending Nevada Southern (now University of Nevada Las Vegas). Her memories of Las Vegas and the relationships formed during this time were some of her favorite topics of conversation and an exciting time in her life.
In 1970 the mountains called her back to West Virginia where she moved with her two children at the time and finished her degree in Education at Marshall University and then embarked on her career as an elementary school teacher. She was known as a “no nonsense” teacher with a strict, yet very caring attitude and she was proud to be a part of the journey for her students to meet their potential. She taught at Leon Elementary in Leon, WV, Ordnance Elementary in Point Pleasant, WV, and both Pearsontown Elementary and Easley Elementary in Durham, NC until she retired to spend more time with her grandchildren.
Jo’s greatest joy was watching her grandchildren whether that be with playtime at home or traveling to see them play in competitive sports. The only activities that came close to that joy was her love of Duke basketball, a glass of wine in the evening, and traveling with friends and family whether that be to the beach, excursions in West Virginia and Las Vegas, or her trips to Europe. Jo was always ready to go somewhere and truly enjoy life, made evident by her suitcase that she kept packed for a quick trip to Carolina Beach, which she made frequently.
Jo is preceded in death by her parents Murle Perry and Dalyah Ardena Wellman Perry, and her husband of nearly 50 years George “Jack” Fuller, Jr who passed in March, 2024. She is survived by and will be greatly missed by her sisters Vana Jean Perry Huff and Murle Dena Perry Clabeux of Las Vegas, Nevada whom she cherished, protected in childhood despite her tiny stature, and shared that unbreakable sister bond. Jo will be lovingly remembered by her children Allison Kinder (Jim) Ross of Chapel Hill, NC, Michael Joel (Dana) Kinder of Richmond, VA, and George “Jack” (Monique) Fuller, III of Apex, NC. The true highlights of her life were her grandchildren Cameron Ross, Erica Kinder, Sean Ross, Jaden Bowdrie, Jackson Fuller and Jace Fuller. She is also survived by her brother- and sister-in-law and close friends Jim and Vicki Fuller of Durham, NC who spent many hours with her and her husband playing songs and telling stories. Jo loved spending time with her numerous nieces and nephews as they grew up, C.E., Vanessa, Courtney, Bethany, Marnie, Bobby, Lisa, Ryan, Brit, and Jamie.
Dementia is an unforgiving thief of life that stole several quality of years from our loved one. Although it threatened Jo’s dignity, she did not allow it to take away her fight, her laughter, her love of music or her overall sense of joy. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org. The family is grateful for the kind neighbors, the extraordinary attention by Hospice, and for her caretakers, particularly Vanessa Lee, who demonstrated empathy and compassion 24/7.
A service will be held to remember Ms. Valerie Jo Fuller at 2 pm on May 31st at her son’s family’s place of worship, St Ambrose Episcopal Church at 813 Darby St in Raleigh, NC. Following the service, an informal drop-in celebration of life for close family and friends will be held at Jo’s house 507 Grist Mill Lane in Durham from approximately 4 pm until 6 pm to share fond memories, music and laughter, just as she would want.
For additional information or for service details, please reach out to the family directly.
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