Emanuel Craig Fults Sr.

Chief Petty Officer (Retired) Emanuel C. Fults, Sr., affectionately known as Craig, was born August 16, 1956, to Robert and Madeline Fults. God called Craig home on October 31, 2024 with his family by his side.

Craig was born in Burlington, North Carolina, and was baptized at an early age. He went to elementary school in Minot, North Dakota, and Mount Clemens, Michigan; and junior high school in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended high school in Great Falls, Montana and graduated in Hampton, from Kecoughtan High School. On November 2, 1978, Craig was united in matrimony to his beautiful bride, Calonia G. Wilson, and was a devoted husband. 

In 1977, he enlisted in the United States Navy, in Norfolk, Virginia. He had the distinct honor of being stationed at the following commands: USS Concord; Headquarters Naval Telecommunications Station, Washington D.C.; USS Brewton, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit Two, Virginia Beach, Virginia; Navy Management Systems Support Office; Office of the Military Attaché for defense programs, Jakarta, Indonesia; Seal Team Three, Naval Special Warfare Group One; Combat Support Team One; and Fleet Combat Training Center Pacific, San Diego, California. During his enlistment, he earned a considerable amount of personal and professional recognition, including a Joint Service Commendation Medal, four Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, three Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, one Meritorious Unit CommendationAward, five Good Conduct Medals, One National Defense Medal, five Sea Service Awards, and two Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbons. 

In 2001, Craig retired from the United States Navy after faithfully serving his country for 24 years. He then went on to work as a civilian for L3 Technologies/Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon. 

He played little league and senior league baseball and volunteered as a youth sports coach for over 20 years. He coached his son’s youth league team, the Atlanta Braves, and coached the military base basketball team. Craig loved traveling, playing pool, and watching his beloved Washington Commanders, Atlanta Braves, and Detroit Pistons. He also loved to spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. 

Left to cherish his memory are his devoted wife of 45 years, Calonia; children, Katina Fults, Justyce James (Jason), and Emanuel Fults Jr. (Tabitha); parents, Robert and Madeline Fults; brother, Timothy Fults (Lashawn); sister Sondra Fults; grandchildren, Nikira LaFrance (Tyler), DeAndre Fults, Rashawn Fults (Courtney), Justyn Fults (Karla), Xavier Pacheco, Heavenn Fults, Narissa Fults, Aryana James, Emerie James, and Emanuel Fults III; great-grandchildren, Dominick Fults, Benjammin LaFrance, Hendrix LaFrance, Milo Fults, Journe Fults, Poppy Mae Fults; and a host of other family and friends.

Service Details

Viewing Date: November 15, 2024

Viewing Time: 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M.

Viewing Location: Smith Brothers Funeral Home

Funeral Service Date: November 16, 2024

Funeral Service Time: 11:00 A.M.

Funeral Service Location: Bethel AME Church; 2521 N. Armistead Avenue Hampton, Virginia 23666

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