"Build your hopes on things eternal, hold to God's unchanging hand…"

Thomas Preston Fulton, Jr. was born October 11, 1949 to the late Thomas Preston Fulton, Sr. and Mary Willis Fulton.  He was the oldest of five and took being the oldest seriously; he was brotherly, bossy, marched to the beat of his own drum, he spoke up when he had something to say and remained mute when he did not want to hear what someone else had to say.  His ears, however, were quite keen to music...hymns to be specific. He could be found singing melodic solos, or leading harmonized choirs; with emphasis on the harmony.

Tommy, as he was affectionately called by his family and friends, was a 1968 graduate of Albert H. Anderson High School. It was at Anderson where his music teacher encouraged Tommy to develop his musical talent. She assisted him with enrolling in the North Carolina Governor's School located on Salem Academy's campus, at a time when Blacks were not welcomed. He spent his summer sharpening his God-given talent before traveling to Huntsville, Alabama to attend, what is now known as, Oakwood University. There, Tommy sang with the College Choir and also traveled with a quartet. They spent a summer in San Francisco, CA singing for a crusade led by the late, Pastor Earl Cleveland. Tommy then decided to march to a different beat that resulted in his return to Winston-Salem, where he spent a number of years working at what was once Hanes Hosiery.

"Covet not this world's vain riches, that so rapidly decay…"

Jogging became something Tommy enjoyed, and he could be seen on any day during the week running down Carver School and New Walkertown Roads. Prior to having the option of receiving cell phone weather alerts, he was caught in a tornado during one of his exercise outings. On many Sabbaths, he could be seen directing the choir at Ephesus using musicians from all over the city, but that was only after choir members perfected their parts during some tough and long rehearsals. On many Sundays, he could be seen directing a choir at Hanes CME Church using some of the same musicians from the city and choir members from Ephesus. That was until he married Patricia Fulton and traveled to Bermuda to direct their choir for well over 10 years.

"Time is filled with swift transition…"

After returning to the States a few years ago, his body was no longer in running condition, and he progressively remained mute because he wanted to continue marching to his own beat. That beat, his heart, swiftly ended on June 20th. While Tommy was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Christopher R. Harris, he left so many in shock after learning of his transition, including his wife; Patricia, three children, Samone Tuff of Charlotte, NC, Larry (Felicia) Jenkins, Sr. of Cary, NC, and Vernitra (Brandon) Walton, of Kernersville, NC; ten grandchildren, Jordan Tuff, Sydney Tuff, Tecora Jenkins, Breon Jenkins, Justice Jenkins, Jevon Boozer, Larry Jenkins, Jr., Leah Jenkins, Dylan Walton and Logan Walton; two great-grandchildren, Jusiah Jenkins and Jinger Jenkins. Tommy's siblings include: Denise James of the city, Regina (Charles) Harris of Miami, Fl., Ronald Fulton and Sonya Fulton of the city; nieces, Dina (Bobby) Goddard, Micha James and Nhyla Ferguson; nephews, Courtenay Harris, De'Ron Fulton and Nhy Ferguson; and grandnephews, Michai James and Jacob Roey. There are a plethora of cousins, friends and choir members who will forever cherish his memory.

"When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true,

Fair and bright the home in Glory, your enraptured soul will view"