Celestine Fuller

On Thursday, January 6, 2022, Celestine Warren Fuller passed away peacefully at home in Cedar Hill, Texas at 80 years old. Celestine was born on May 8, 1941, in Tyler, Texas to Frank and Ora Bell Warren.  She was the third of 11 children born of their union, having 6 sisters and 4 brothers. Spending her formative years in Tyler and Kilgore, Celestine moved to Los Angeles, CA as a senior in high school.  She graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1958 and attended LA City College briefly. While living with her Aunt Mary and Uncle Wes (Warren), she met and eventually married Ezra V. Fuller, Jr.  He preceded her in death in 2006.  There were four children born of their union;  Ezra V., III or Trey (who preceded them in death in 1959), Valezra, Dionci (who preceded them in death in 1985), and Derek. 

Although she looked nothing like a grandmother, she insisted her grandchildren would call her “Granny”. Eventually this moniker was adopted by their friends and children in her church as well, so her tribe/village was large indeed. Upon becoming a great grandmother, she renamed herself Gran and cultivated an especially close relationship with Deja and Jaya.

Her professional career spanned over 30 years, and she ultimately retired from Ralphs Grocery Store where she was a Lead Cashier, Assistant Manager and Jr. Accountant. 

“Celeste” or “Stine” (as she was affectionately called) enjoyed church, her grand and great grandchildren, cooking, and bowling.  She loved music, singing, and puzzle books, which could be found in every room in her home. She loved learning and took piano lessons to further her musical abilities.  She maintained an active membership within the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and volunteered in many different capacities. In 2008, Stine moved back to Dallas where she enjoyed spending time loving and laughing with family, gardening, being an active church member, cooking, and other activities.  She was a great bowler and was a member of a senior bowling league until she was no longer able to participate.  She was a firm believer and remained a faithful member of Agape Fellowship SDA Church.

After having a stroke in 2016, Celeste began to knit, and made over 50 hats a year for the homeless.  She was an amazing cook who loved to make delicious dishes for friends and loved ones – all who have had her lemon cake, spaghetti or fried chicken, to name a few, can attest to that.

Celestine is survived by two of her four children; Valezra (Rodney) Earl; Derek (Tobi) Fuller; eight grandchildren; Yaquii Branch, Rhondi Roberson, Briana (Reginald Moise) Earl, Dion Earl, Victoria Fuller, Deven Fuller, Derek Fuller Jr., Deren Fuller and two great-grandchildren; Deja Lever and Jaya Manigo.  Her sisters:  Barbara (Willie) Ford, Ora Jean (Perfice) Adkins, Phyllis (Larry) Taylor, Linda (Alvin) Heard, Brenda (Dwayne) Ford, and one brother, Robert Earl “Shag” (Melissa) Warren, along with a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was a warm person that people gravitated to, who made many friends that she loved dearly, and whose lives she touched along the way. Her church family provided a great source of comfort, friendship, and fellowship and she loved them dearly as well.  Celestine was blessed to collect many treasured friendships over her 80-year walk on earth and her physical presence will be missed.

Preceding her in death were her children, Trey and Dionci; her parents, Ora Bell and Frank Warren; her sister, Sandra Sue Warren; her brothers, Frank Jr., Jimmy Don, and Jerry Dwayne Warren.  All her aunts and uncles on both sides preceded her in death and were always spoken of with great warmth and respect. 

Celestine’s fun-loving spirit, easy-going, and giving nature will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing and spending time with her.  Her life was well-lived, and she will remain in our hearts well-loved.

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