Vertie Fulks

Vertie Fulks, 92, of Odessa, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by family and friends on Monday May 23, 2022.

Graveside services will be at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2022, at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens in San Angelo.

She was born on October 18, 1929, in Orange, Texas to Virgie Atkins and Milo Smiley. In 1945 she married her high school sweetheart, Herman Austin, in Hollis, Oklahoma and the marriage resulted in seven children. In 1968 she married Harold Fulks in Juárez, Mexico.

She is survived by her children: Elaine Hill, Linda and Michael Bohannan, Jimmy and Patty Austin all of Odessa, Peggy and Dennis Crook of Monahans, Kenneth Austin and David Prouty of Scappoose, Oregon, Micki and Junior Flores of Iraan, Vicki Warden of Odessa, Paulette Ray of Midland, Danny K and Kitty Fulks of San Angelo and Ronny and Vicki Lipsey of Odessa; 26 Grandkids; 55 Great-Grandkids; 50 Great-Great-Grandkids; sister Vera “Tiny” Buckaloo of Cleburne; brother Johnny Clay of Cleburne and best friend Wanda Morgan of San Angelo.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husbands: Herman Austin and Harold Fulks; children: Johnnie Fulks and Donna Seider; Granddaughters: Starla Prestidge and Julia Ray; Great-Granddaughter Brooke Brinkley; sisters: Melba Walker and Rosie Clay; brothers: William Clay, Robert Daniels and Freddie Smiley.

Her passion was travel. She and Wanda enjoyed traveling all over Texas; but especially cherished their yearly trips to Oregon and Las Vegas. They ventured to Hawaii, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Europe just to “look around”. Closer to home, she spent time at North Side Senior Center, dancing throughout the Permian Basin, crocheting blankets for each new great-grand-child and canning and pickling fresh fruits and vegetables from Grandpa’s garden. No matter the destination or task, spending time with her family and friends was always the most important. Even in her 90’s, she lived everyday as if she just got her driver’s license for the very first time.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the North Side Senior Center in Odessa. There are no words to express our heartfelt thanks for the kindness, support and love shown to us during this difficult time. It will always be remembered. Special thanks to the following for going above and beyond our expectations: Home Hospice of West Texas, specifically Afton DeLeon and Hayley Ratcher. Also, Wally Schiwart, Norma Rivera and Tracey Tipton Patterson.