Lona Fulmer Proctor

Lona Fulmer Proctor, 86, of Ridge Spring, South Carolina, passed away on October 22, 2026, at her home, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Saluda County, she was the youngest of ten children of the late Wardlaw and Fannie Fulmer. Lona grew up on her family's farm in rural Saluda and remained a lifelong member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church. Her early years were shaped by the values of faith, family, hard work, and community that remained with her throughout her life.

Lona attended Ridge Spring-Monetta High School, where she met the love of her life and future husband, Cortez "Cort" Proctor. A gifted athlete, she excelled on the basketball court, becoming a standout player in both high school and college. After graduating from Winthrop College, she and Cort married in July 1963 and began an extraordinary journey together as an Air Force family.

While stationed at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Georgia, where Cort was a Second Lieutenant in pilot training, Lona began what would become a lifelong career in education. Throughout Cort's 28-year military career, she continued teaching across the United States and abroad, sharing her passion for learning with countless students in Georgia, Texas, Florida, Germany, and Japan. During their years in Germany, Lona and Cort welcomed their beloved daughter, Darby, into their lives.

Travel was one of Lona's greatest joys. Together, she and Cort experienced much of the world, visiting 27 countries during their military years. Following Cort's retirement from the Air Force, they completed another remarkable goal by traveling to all 50 states.

After retiring from military life, the family settled in Niceville, Florida, near Eglin Air Force Base. There, Lona combined her love for children and education by owning and operating Happyland Preschool for 15 years. A devoted educator throughout her life, she cherished every child entrusted to her care, and in return, she was dearly loved by generations of children and families.

In 2023, Lona and Cort returned to Ridge Spring to be closer to family and became active members of Ridge Spring Baptist Church.

Those left to cherish her memory include her devoted husband, Colonel Cortez "Cort" Proctor, U.S. Air Force (Retired), and her beloved daughter, Darby Proctor, Ph.D.  In addition to her parents, Lona was preceded in death by her nine siblings.

A graveside service celebrating Lona's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, South Carolina. Milton Shealy Funeral Home, Batesburg-Leesville Chapel, is assisting the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 164 Mount Pleasant Road, Ridge Spring, SC 29129, or Ridge Spring Baptist Church, P.O. Box 364, Ridge Spring, SC 29129.