Minda Kennedy Fuller, a native of Franklin County, died peacefully early Tuesday at Salemtowne retirement community in Winston-Salem. She was 94 and recently developed complications from Alzheimer's disease.

She was born Oct. 10, 1925 in Franklin County, the firstborn of Glenn and Beulah (Burnette) Kennedy, and their only daughter. She worked hard as a child, helping out at home and with the tobacco crop. In May 1942, she graduated from Gold Sand High School in Louisburg, where she was on the basketball team. Later that year, she enrolled at Campbell College in Buies Creek, where she studied two years. In 1944 and 1945, she took a year off to work at a textile mill, so she could earn enough money to finish college. She then enrolled at Wake Forest College in Wake Forest, and graduated in 1947, in one of the first groups of women to graduate from Wake. She received a degree in religion and education and was certified as a teacher. In 1947, she began teaching Bible classes at a school in Selma, and later taught school in Wendell.

On Aug. 21, 1948, she married the love of her life, Grady Reed Fuller, also of Franklin County, son of Alma and Hugh Fuller. He served as a staff sergeant in World War II. Minda taught school while Grady got his forestry degree from N.C. State University courtesy of the GI Bill. For most of his life, he owned and operated Fuller Pulpwood Co. in northwest Forsyth County.

Minda and Grady lived for a while in Selma, Wendell, Dobson, Elkin and then Pfafftown, where they settled for more than 30 years. They were active in churches their entire lives, teaching Sunday school and leading outreach and missions work. Minda was a tireless advocate for a peaceful world and showed compassion toward all people.

Minda was preceded in death by her husband, Grady; by a son, Steve Fuller; and by a brother, Clinton Kennedy. She is survived by four children: Cheryl Fuller of Austin, Texas; Reed Fuller of Winston-Salem; Jane Huddle (Jim) of Charlotte; and Annette Fuller of Houston. Minda also is survived by Steve's wife, Jane Warner Fuller of Thomasville. She loved her four grandchildren very much: John Huddle (Sarah) of Richmond, Virginia; Katie Kinard (Sam) of Austin, Texas; Claire Reynolds of Brooklyn, NY; and Johanna Scogin (Rob) of Richmond, Virginia. She got to spend some time with her three young great-grandchildren: Heath and Tucker Huddle of Richmond, and Sage Kinard of Austin. Minda also is survived by two brothers: Leland Kennedy (Pat) of Louisburg, and Graham Kennedy (Alice Lea) of Raleigh.

Services will be postponed until her family and friends can gather safely.

Memorials may be made to Knollwood Baptist Church, 330 Knollwood St., Winston-Salem, NC 27104, or to the Residents Assistance Fund at Salemtowne, c/o Director of Development, 1000 Salemtowne Drive, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.

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