Grady Fuller Is Citizen of the Year

Dr. Grady T. Fuller was named 2005 Citizen of the Year at the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce annual dinner on Tuesday evening at the Charlie Elliott Conference Center. The award recognizes an individual who resides in the county and has made positive contributions to the community.

Dr. Fuller began his career in 1967, while attending night school at Mercer University in Macon. In 1968, he and others, began a new mission of Union Hill at Wayside, which is now known as Roundway Baptist Church at Wayside.
In 1973, he was called to Enon Baptist Church, which saw tremendous growth with a new sanctuary and fellowship hall being built, and a great youth group organized, according to the biographical information recognizing Dr. Fuller.

Eight and one-half years later Dr. Fuller resigned and made plans to finish seminary work on his doctorate degree. In 1982, he graduated with honors from Covington Theological Seminary in Roswell, with a Doctorate of Divinity degree.

Later that year a group met at the Fuller home and plans were made for a new church. It began in the American Legion building, then moved to the cabinet shop on Highway 212. This building was sold and the new church, Callie Fuller Baptist Tabernacle was built, where Dr. Fuller has remained for the past 24 years.

Some of Dr. Fuller’s other accomplishments include:

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•Co-founded Canaan Land Prison Ministry with the late Billy Weaver in 1976.

•Helped found the Ga. Baptist Youth Conferences at the Roswell Street Baptist Church in Marietta during the early 70s.

•Served as Chairman of Evangelism to the Central Baptist Association for eight years.

•Served as a voting delegate to the National Convention for the Republican Party representing Monticello-Jasper County for more than two years in the early 1990s.

•Served for more than 30 years as chaplain for Jasper County, being officially appointed by Sheriff Charles Roper when he took office.

•Helped found the Monticello-Jasper County Jaycees.

•Was instrumental in bringing the Billy Mayo Crusade to Jasper County in 1993.

•Worked with the Monticello Police for four years.

•Long time member of the American Legion.

•Served his country in the US Army, 82nd Airborne Div. for three years, and another four years with the Georgia National Guard.

•Trained 22 young men for the ministry of preaching.

•Co-chaired the first American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Jasper County.

•Retired from the U.S. Postal Service after 21 years.

•Wrote and published his first book in 2004, The Winds of Change are Blowing, an adventure into the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Thurman Willis introduced Dr. Fuller as the Citizen of the Year, “For his unselfish devotion and distinguished service to Jasper County.”

Dr. Fuller, who has been recovering from cancer, graciously accepted his award by saying, “My only regret is that I have not done more than I have done.”

He went on to tell of much leaner times the city and county has seen in the past, and said he was proud to see Monticello and Jasper County where they are today.

He also spoke of his long ago battle with alcohol, but added, “God had good news for me. He changed all that and gave me a new life.”
He concluded by promising to pray for the chamber, gave thanks for his family, delighted the crowd with his humor, and closed with an inspiring prayer.

The keynote speaker for the event was Ronald E. Frieson, President, Georgia Operations, BellSouth where he has served since 1985. Mr. Frieson delivered an informative and impressive narrative in which he tracked the path of technology over the past 20 years, and went on to describe some of the wonders-in-the-works and the technology yet to come.

The entire evening was a resounding success. It took place in the impressive banquet hall of the Charlie Elliott Conference Center, where the music of Les Steele floated through the expansive wood and stone arts and crafts style building.
Some of the accomplishments of the Chamber of Commerce in 2005 include:

•The Olive Tree, MeMe’s, and The Plant Parlor were featured in the March edition of Southern Living magazine.

•Developed website to showcase Jasper County for tourism and industry.

•Assisted the city in receiving Better Hometown National Accreditation.

•Published in Historic Heartland regional guide.

•Shady Dale Rodeo published in American Cowboy Magazine.

•Enrolled in Buy Georgia Program for free promotion of county events.

•Petitioned to add Monticello to the Antiques Trail Guide.

•Added Charlie Elliot and the Oconee National Forest biking trails to the Georgia On My Mind website.

•Facilitated Trisha Yearwood’s video and TV show shoots in the county.

•Coordinated and supported History Museum effort.
•Helped relocation of Farmer’s Market to the Square.

•Membership of Simply Southern Tourism Association.

•Worked with Family Connection to revamp the mentoring program.

•Held another successful Deer Festival.