Joel Edward Fulmer

After a life spent devoted to his beloved family, Joel Edward Fulmer—or Eddie, as he was known to one and all—passed suddenly from this world on August 17, 2026, of congestive heart failure. The rock of his family and a pillar of his community, he will be sorely missed.

Eddie was born on August 19, 1963, the firstborn son of Raymond and Linda (Garrison) Fulmer. The young family lived in Blythewood, where the Fulmer family’s roots run deep. Eddie and his younger brother Clay, born two years later, grew up just a stone’s throw from their namesake road, Fulmer Road, in a home their parents built.

From the time he could walk, Eddie was already running. As a boy, he loved nothing more than tearing around the woods on his motorcycle and playing football in the yard. He was good at all sports, playing baseball, basketball and football and imitating his favorite wrestlers. When he became old enough to drive, he loved racing down the back roads of Blythewood, blasting Bad Company on the radio. In everything he did, Eddie went hard and fast.

During his time at Spring Valley High School, he started dating Tammy Lomas. The Fulmer and Lomas families had known each other for years, so Eddie and Tammy knew each other from the time they were children. They fell in love and got engaged, and in 1984 they married at Fair Lawn Methodist Church. Tammy was the love of Eddie’s life, and they spent 42 years together, creating a family, and watching it grow, in the home they built just down the road from Linda and Raymond.

Eddie and Tammy welcomed their first child, Joseph Fulmer, in 1986. Joseph came into the world with a beautiful smile and an open spirit, and a few years later Josh came along, as generous and warm-hearted a young man as you’ll ever meet. The boys shared Eddie’s love of family, and they all spent many happy hours with their grandparents Fulmer and Lomas, and their great-grandparents Fulmer and Garrison. Every summer, Eddie would drive the family down to St. Augustine to spend time at Crescent Beach with their cousins, aunts and uncles over the Fourth of July. He loved these weeks, playing cards, teaching the kids how to catch ghost crabs, and splashing in the surf with the little ones.

Eddie worked many years with his father doing auto body repair at Allen’s Paint & Body Shop, which was owned by his grandfather, Joel Garrison, for whom he was named. He was a master at making banged-up cars beautiful again, and when the work was done, he loved hunting, fishing, and relaxing at Lake Wateree, where the family had an RV. He spent hours traveling to ballgames and swim meets to watch Joseph and Josh, as well as Clay’s kids, his niece and nephew PJ and Bryan.

And then, Eddie became a grandpa. Josh married the wonderful Brittney Clements in 2015, and soon their family grew to include Grace, Hannah, and Josh Jr.—three beautiful grandchildren who could light up Eddie’s face just by walking into the room. He never tired of spending time with his grandbabies, and these years of his life were filled with love and contentment.

Eddie Fulmer is survived by his loving wife, Tammy; his son Joseph; his son Josh and daughter-in-law Brittney; his grandchildren Grace, Hannah and Josh Jr.; his brother Clay and sister-in-law Patty; his nieces PJ, Colbie, and Alyssa, nephews Bryan, Conrad, and Christian and great-nephew Tucker. He is also survived by many friends and fellow parishioners, who will miss his steadfast and loyal presence.

Eddie’s funeral will take place at Fair Lawn United Methodist Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 21st, with Pastor J.T. Brown officiating. Prior to the service, Eddie will be placed in the sanctuary for viewing beginning at 10 a.m. A private burial will be held in the Fair Lawn United Methodist Church Cemetery. Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.

Memorials may be made to Fair Lawn United Methodist Church, 9203 Wilson Blvd, Columbia, SC 29203.