Longtime Ministry Couple Janice and Ray Fuller Remembered

Janice (Marks) Fuller, 88, passed away at her daughter's home in Salem, Illinois after a lifetime of service.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:07pm

An extremely blurred, impressionistic photograph showing the silhouettes of an elderly couple sitting together on a couch, surrounded by soft, glowing pools of warm color and light, conceptually representing the lifetime of service and community engagement of Janice and Ray Fuller.The vibrant life and ministry of Janice and Ray Fuller continued to shine brightly even in their retirement years.Salem Today

Janice (Marks) Fuller, age 88, passed away on March 29, 2026 at the home of her daughter in Salem, Illinois. Janice and her husband C. Ray Fuller had served in ministry to churches in Illinois and Texas until their retirement, and continued to use their gifts to serve the Lord and others in Bibleville, Texas. Janice was known for her vibrant personality, love of entertaining, and performances as the character Hattie Horsecollar.

Why it matters

The Fullers' decades of ministry service and their active retirement years in the Bibleville community highlight the important role that faith-based organizations and tight-knit communities can play in supporting older adults and keeping them engaged and fulfilled in their later years.

The details

Janice (Marks) Fuller was born on January 1, 1938 to Paul and Hazel Marks and grew up in Marion, Illinois. She married C. Ray Fuller on October 19, 1957, and they served in ministry together until their retirement. After retiring, the couple moved to Bibleville in south Texas where they continued to use their gifts to serve the Lord and others. Janice was known for her love of entertaining, writing and performing skits at church, and most recently playing the character Hattie Horsecollar at Bibleville.

  • Janice (Marks) Fuller was born on January 1, 1938.
  • Janice married C. Ray Fuller on October 19, 1957.
  • Janice and Ray served in ministry together until their retirement.
  • After retiring, the couple moved to Bibleville in south Texas.
  • Janice passed away on March 29, 2026 at the age of 88.

The players

Janice (Marks) Fuller

An 88-year-old woman who passed away on March 29, 2026 at her daughter's home in Salem, Illinois. She was known for her vibrant personality, love of entertaining, and performances as the character Hattie Horsecollar.

C. Ray Fuller

Janice's husband, who she served in ministry with until their retirement. Ray preceded Janice in death on March 7, 2016 after 58 years of marriage.

Brian Fuller

Janice and Ray's son, who lives in Justin, Texas.

Denice Phillips

Janice and Ray's daughter, who lives in Salem, Illinois and where Janice passed away at her home.

Bibleville Conference Grounds

The retirement community in Alamo, Texas where Janice and Ray Fuller lived and continued to serve the Lord and others after retiring from full-time ministry.

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What they’re saying

“Janice was the life of every party. From the time she was young, she loved talking to people and entertaining them with her stories.”

— Denice Phillips, Janice's daughter

The takeaway

The Fullers' decades of ministry service and their active retirement years in the Bibleville community highlight the important role that faith-based organizations and tight-knit communities can play in supporting older adults and keeping them engaged and fulfilled in their later years.