Renowned for her creativity, artistic flair, teaching, sense of humor and deep desire to share her faith with others, Reach Beyond retiree Lois Fulghum died in Glendale, AZ, on July 19, 2026. She was 86 years old.

Dorothea Lois Fulghum, born on Jan. 21, 1940, was the youngest of four children born to China Inland Mission workers. Giving her life to Christ at an early age, her early years were spent between China and the U.S. in an upbringing that fostered a deep faith, resolve and self-reliance.

In 1942, amid the Japanese occupation, when she was 2 Lois was evacuated from China alongside many other expatriates. That harrowing journey took her across the ocean on a steamer, stopping in Mozambique before finally arriving at Ellis Island in New York Harbor.

Through faith and determination, her parents returned to China after the war with their children in tow, and she went to school at the Chefoo boarding school for missionary kids. But soon after, history intervened again, forcing a second evacuation following the communist revolution.

After a stint in the U.S., her parents began serving at the Chinese diaspora in the Philippines while Lois and her siblings remained in the U.S., attending boarding school in Wheaton, IL. It was during these years at Wheaton Academy that she first learned the story of the five missionary martyrs in Ecuador in 1956, prompting her to serve in missions.

From the age of 6 until she went to college, Lois lived largely apart from her parents, growing up in boarding schools. Yet this unusual childhood did not dim her spirit. She was famously mischievous and no stranger to being called into the principal’s office and told to “straighten up.” That playful spark, sharp wit and silly sense of humor remained intact throughout her life, forming a character that was fiercely independent and strongminded.

At Wheaton College, Lois met Tom Fulghum. Upon discovering that they shared the same passion for missions, they began planning a life dedicated to that shared vision. They were married on June 6, 1959, in Naperville, IL. Their journey toward the mission field began with a few years of preparation, first in Bisbee, AZ, and then back in Wheaton. During these years they worked as teachers and raised support. Lois also finished her bachelor’s degree, and they welcomed the first three of their five children.

In 1967 Lois and Tom took their growing family to Costa Rica for Spanish language study before settling in Quito, marking the beginning of a vibrant 27-year ministry in Ecuador. Their son Kevin was born in Ecuador while their daughter Karen was born during one of their home ministry assignments. Traveling between the U.S. and Ecuador as well as coast-to-coast road trips with a small tribe of five children was no small feat, but they transformed every journey into a warm, joyful adventure.

Lois sang silly songs to her children—melodies that linger still and have been passed down to her grandchildren. She worked tirelessly to create a cozy, inviting home filled with family traditions, playful invented words (like calling fingers “pinners”) and lively rounds of the legendary family “PAAPFTFOTMANR” game. Her family was centered around faith, values and fair play.

In Ecuador, Lois poured her creative gifts into the community as a grade school and art teacher at Alliance Academy International. Beyond teaching, she was a fine artist and sculptor, using her talents across mission events, television studio sets and school productions.

When school plays rolled around, she was a master of costumes and makeup with a flair for prosthetic noses, chins and ears. Whenever Tom took the stage in colorful theatrical roles over the years, Lois was the genius behind the curtain, once handcrafting a stunning papier-mâché Roman centurion costume for him for a televised Easter drama.

Lois was the spine of the family, serving as a mentor, confidant, cook and home decorator. She was an avid book reader, and during family vacations and home ministry assignments, she kept everyone captivated by reading great books aloud, delivering a performance far richer than any audiobook could offer!

She was also a relentless advocate for Tom and for her oldest son, TJ, always being an encouragement to everyone around her. Life brought its share of challenges which she met with faith, devotion and ingenuity. In 1975 TJ was struck by a car in Quito where adequate medical services didn’t yet exist. This traumatic experience tested Lois and Tom’s faith, and they truly trusted God for His plan in their son’s life.

During a four-year leave in the U.S. for TJ’s extensive medical treatments, the Fulghums provided for the family by teaching art at Wheaton Christian Grammar School while Tom directed the band and choir at Wheaton Academy. The family also spent a year in Oregon while Tom worked for Latin American evangelist Luis Palau. Then they returned to Ecuador for many more fruitful years of service.

Family life was rich with community and tradition, filled with fierce Rook card tournaments, sunny vacations at Manta, and energetic school plays shared with friends across the missionary community. At one point Lois ran the HCJB guesthouse, giving her another outlet for her decorative mind, making beautiful and comfortable rooms for guests to enjoy while visiting the mission.

Lois and Tom returned to the U.S. in the early 2000s and settled in Colorado Springs where Lois continued her creative endeavors. She was also active in her local church, joining a Bible study and mentoring young women. This was also a time where they relished being grandparents and spending more time with family.

In their later years at the Glencroft retirement community in Arizona, her tireless energy showed no signs of slowing down. As a dedicated caregiver for both her husband and TJ, Lois managed complex care with incredible organization, maintaining meticulous records.

Lois also organized neighborly breakfasts and chili suppers in her court, teamed up with campus friends to arrange fresh flowers for the Tulip Patch gift shop, and transformed the campus every Christmas with her artistic flair. She often met with friends to pray and encourage them, maintaining a positive spirit until her passing.

Lois is missed by her five children, Becky (Keith), Tommy “TJ,” Kevin, Karen (Erik) and Brian (Lori); along with 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tom, of 64 years in 2024.

“Lois and Tom were remarkable and faithful servants of Christ,” said Reach Beyond President Daniel Enns. “They were mentors to many across the Reach Beyond family and deeply loved by people around the world. It is fitting that we remember her with gratitude, giving thanks for a life and ministry that left such a lasting legacy.”