Mary Jane (Crabtree) Fulton

Mary Jane (Crabtree) Fulton was born November 26, 1959, in the Murl community of Monticello and passed away November 8, 2024, at the age of 64. A daughter of Emily Maedean (Dishman) and the late Haskel “Hack” Lee Crabtree, Mary Jane built a life centered on family, faith, and simple joys.

A lifelong member of Faith Baptist Church, Mary Jane was baptized at a young age and carried her faith into everyday life. She treasured time with her children and grandchildren — her daughter Shannon Lee (Morris) Tzanahua, her son Joseph Kaine Fulton, and her grandchildren Torie Morris, Lilliana Zanahua, and Samuel Zanahua were the light of her life. The family remembers how excited she was to become a grandmother and later a great-grandmother, delighting in every new chapter.

Mary Jane loved to travel, whether it was a beach trip with family, a weekend in Gatlinburg, or a long drive to pick up a new puppy. She had a lively sense of fun — from collecting Betty Boop items to singing along to her favorite music — and cared deeply for animals, often giving shelter to dogs, horses, and stray cats (including her tomcat, Betty). She tended her flower beds with pride and enjoyed reading when time allowed. Friends recall her morning ritual of calling a sibling to talk about the day; those conversations were part of the rhythm of her life.

Mary Jane became a mother at a young age and loved fiercely; her family and close friends were central to who she was. She is also survived by her mother, Emily Maedean Dishman; brother Jerry (Kathy) Crabtree; sisters June Humble (Arthur Reynolds) and Dena (Mike) Guffey; and many nieces, nephews, and extended family. Her ex-husband and dear friend, Jessie Fulton, also survives her.

The family received friends on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at Hicks-Vaughn Funeral Home in Monticello. Funeral services were held Thursday, November 14, 2024, with burial at Elk Spring Cemetery. Hicks-Vaughn Funeral Home handled the arrangements.

Mary Jane will be remembered for her warmth, her love of family and animals, and the small daily rituals that made her life distinct. Those who knew her recall a woman who welcomed others, loved to be on the road with family, and took joy in music, flowers, and caring for the creatures around her. Her presence in the Murl community and the lives of her children and grandchildren will be dearly missed.