Norman Loniel Fulbright Jr.

Pastor “Elder” Norman Loniel Fulbright Jr. was born on November 3rd, 1957, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to Master Norman Fulbright and Rhoda Mae Fulbright (nee Winston). “Junior”, as he was called in his childhood, was the oldest child of six, and played a big role in helping his mother to raise his four younger sisters and his baby brother. His ability to step up and take a leadership role in helping his mother care for the household was just preparation for what he would be doing later in life. At the young age of nine, Junior heard the Spirit of the Lord speak to him for the first time, while he was watching Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on TV, The Lord told him that he would become a Leader, which Junior thought meant that he would be a leader of black people; however, he would later learn that he would become a leader for the Lord.

Norman was raised in Southwest Oklahoma City andgraduated from Classen High School. Shortly after graduating, he enlisted in the Air Force, where he was later honorably discharged. It was during his time in the military, that Normangave his life to Christ, and credited his most highlighted accomplishment as having the opportunity of being the first Airman to share what he knew about the Lord with the Chaplains, and then having the Chaplains lay hands on him and telling his to receive the office of the Prophet.

During his time in the military, Norman was reunited with,and eventually married his elementary school crush, Hazel Sue Fulcher. Together, they had three children, Markisha, Norman “Loniel” III, and Nehemiah. He also became very active in ministry, first becoming ordained as a local Elder in 1983, in Cleaves CME church, a traveling Elder in 1985 at St Mary’s CME church, then finally becoming a Pastor of Robinson Chapel CME, then St. Paul’s CME. Norman showed his dedication and faithfulness to God and the church when he was assigned as a Pastor within the AME church over 70 miles away from his home.

In July 1988, after praying, fasting, and reading the books of Genesis and Exodus, the Lord told him to leave, and when he got to where he was going, to find a church home. Unsure of his destination, Norman drove his family West, until their car broke down in Oceanside, California. Once they arrived, he did as he was instructed, and found a church home, and been in church ever since.

While in Oceanside, California, Norman became a faithful member at Shiloh COGIC under the leadership of Pastor Buchanan, Pastor Hurd, and Pastor Taylor. During his time at Shiloh, Norman became an ordained Elder within the COGIC denomination; served as the Sunday School Superintendent for Southern California; and started and published a newsletter called Manna Bread from Heaven, which provided information on church organizations and events for Black churches in San Diego County. “Elder”, as he was now affectionately known as by this time, remained a faithful servant at Shiloh, COGIC from 1988-2003, when he left Oceanside. It was during this time he started his own ministry called River of Life Ministries.

With his children now adults, Elder began a new chapter in his life when he moved from Oceanside, California to Hemet,California. Elder became a member at Shekinah Missionary Baptist Church. One of the ushers, Ms. Wanda Orange Flucas, caught his eye because he thought she was beautiful, so he immediately prayed to the Lord, that she was blessed to have a husband who loved her and provided for her and her children. The Lord answered Elders prayers, because on October 31, 2004, Elder became the husband he prayed Wanda would have, and the father to their children. At the age of 48 years old, Elder would have a dream, and God showed him that he would have a son, and his name would be Nathaniel Lee, and just like he dreamed, on 3/17/2006, Wanda gave birth to their son, bringing their number of children to nine in total. Over the 16 years of their marriage, God continuously blessed their family to increase, and Elder Fulbright became Pawpaw to their many grandchildren.

With Wanda always by his side in ministry, the Lord multiplied Elder Fulbright’s name in San Jacinto Valley. Elder Fulbright used to pray for the many churches and their Pastors to have someone who would support them, this was a similar prayer to the one he prayed for his wife before they were married; so once again, God saw fit for Elder to be the man he prayed for and would have him serve as what he called “thesecond man” for many Pastors in the community. Elder served at Shekinah Missionary Baptist, under Pastor Gregory Walker(later serving as interim Pastor); Reconciliation Christian Assembly, under Pastor Charles Hentley; Evangequip Mission Church, under Bishop Leon Anier; Higher Praise Church, under Bishop Pierre Sterling, Ecclesia Spirit Led Fellowship, under Bishop Dexter Kilpatrick; The Way of the Cross Ministries, under Pastor Dorsey Burns; and New Beginnings Church of San Jacinto, under Pastor Don Siler, who is now the Bishop of Church of the Saints (COTS). Elder Fulbright also served as the adjutant to Bishop Siler.

Elder Fulbright became a public figure on Facebook, gaining recognition on the continents of Africa and Asia; he was a member of the Brew Crew radio, KBRG; he served as a bible study teacher for multiple churches in the United States, and in countries abroad, including Asia. Whether it was online, or in person, Elder Fulbright never met a stranger, and never wasted an opportunity to tell someone about Christ. So many people wanted to spend time talking to Elder to ask him questions and for guidance. He was a natural teacher, who had a gift for being able to recall scripture verbatim, including chapter and verse. He thought this was a gift everyone had, since he was never formally trained in the word, but received all his knowledge of the word through the Holy Spirit. If you talked to him long enough, you would get a personal worship service, to include a testimony on how God was a healer, a bible study lesson, and some form of praise and worship. Elder Fulbright loved the Lord, and he made sure everyone knew it.

Elder Fulbright not only would feed you spiritually, but he would also feed you physically as well. He was a great cook, and a Master Smoker; known for his smoked meats and smoked fried catfish. There was almost nothing he could not do with his hands, including cutting hair, creating programs for the church, and building a house. Not only did he could do all these things and more, but he was also willing to do it because he considered it another way to serve. Elder Fulbright always said the definition of Love means I will do for you, and he was a man full of love, because he would do anything for anyone.

On June 12, 2021, Pastor Fulbright was installed as the Pastor of New Beginnings Church of San Jacinto, with Lady Wanda right by his side. With his family and loved ones in attendance, he received the honor of being celebrated and rewarded for his wonderful job in the ministry. On August 18, 2021, once again with his family beside him, the Lord called Pastor Norman Loniel Fulbright Jr. home to be with him andgave him the honored reward of no more pain and no more suffering. Although he will be greatly missed, Pastor Fulbright’slove for the Lord, can only make you happy for him to be with the Father, whom he Loved so much. Preceding him in death is his father Master Norman Fulbright, daughter Markisha J. Smith (Gates), and grandson Dejon R. Henderson. He leaves behindhis wife, Wanda Fulbright; his mother Rhoda Mae Jones; his siblings; Sarah (Andrew), Debra, Donna (John), Diana, and Timothy (Carmen); Eight Children, Loniel, Nehemiah (Devanna), Burnshell, Athena, Shunta, Johndell (Danielle), Roderick, Nathaniel, and his Spiritual Daughter, Nicole Holden, Carolyn Haynes; 23 grandchildren, 3-great grandchildren; and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, God-children, and friends.