It was a cold wintry day, but the sun was shinng brightly through the front window of St. Paul Church for the 9 a.m. Mass Sunday. Some guessed it was especially for Verna Fuller,
Verna, the oldest active member of St. Paul parish, was being honored for her 99th birthday which was Friday.
Fr. James Berardi, who celebrated the Mass, announced that there was a special guest at the Mass and the pastor, the Rev. Fr. Ralph Thiomas, came down to the first pew as the Mass was closing to give her a hug and invite everyone to a celebration in the Parish Activity Center. Sitting with Verna 
was her son, Robert S.. and his wife, Barbara, of Mogadore, with whom she lives. Other family members joined them.
Verna (Basalla) Fuller was born January 29, 1911, the daughter of Michael and Mary Basalla, in Clarence, PA, a small community in Centre County, PA
Verna had two brothers and a sister. He sister, Mary, had moved to Akron and urged Verna to follow because the rubber industry had made the city prosperous. Verna followed her to Akron in the 1920s.
Verna met her future husband at a dance gardens on Market Street. She was Catholic and he was Baptist. They were married July 17, 1942 in Brimfield in Portage County.
Stokes Fuller was born in Asheville, North Carolina. He came to Akron with his mother and a brother, Claude D., who later moved to Foster City, CA. . He worked for Goodyear for 40 years until his retirement in 1969, He died November 1, 1983 at the age of 72 and is buried in Hillside Memorial Cemetery.
Verna remained at their home on Wilbeth Road until until a few years ago.
Barbara Tomaz, a resident of Pebble Creek nursing home, is believed to be the oldest living member. She will be 100 years old on November 28. . There are more than 60 members of St. Paul parish who are 90 years or older.
Read previous posts about Verna on Saint Paul TODAY..
Click on the headline to see a few more photos from her celebration.
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