Fred Clarence Hulsey

Fred Clarence Hulsey, age 101, of Maysville, Georgia, where he died peacefully at home just four months after his beloved wife of 71 years, Gussie, on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, Lula, with interment to follow in the church cemetery.

Fred was born April 30, 1924, in White County, Georgia. He was the son of Albert (AB) Garland Hulsey and Flossie Alexander Hulsey. He was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Gussie Rogers Hulsey; his son Carey Andrew Hulsey; and by his brothers and sisters, Raymond (Dorothy) Hulsey, Valeria Hulsey Stalnaker (Gerald), Ida Hulsey Webb (Forrest), Donald Hulsey (Carolyn), Dora Hulsey Cain (T.J.), and Ray Dean Hulsey; brothers-in-law, Alvin Hix and Foster Rogers. He was also preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Debbie Graves Hulsey.

After the family home burned with all their possessions at the age of 16, Fred later joined the CCC Camps at age 17.

The first camp he was stationed at was where the current Gainesville High School is now, which was just out of town at the time. Wanting to see as much of the world as possible, Fred received a transfer to a CCC camp in Nevada, which was way out in the desert. It was so cold, he learned to be the camp blacksmith, because it was the warmest place in the camp. Later he was transferred to a camp in California, where he was when the Japanese Empire attacked Pearl Harbor. Fred moved down to San Diego to work building submarines. He eventually hitchhiked to Mobile, Alabama to train for and get his license to be a Merchant Marine. He then sailed on Liberty and Victory ships in the convoys going to Britain and Italy to supply the US troops.

Fred took high school courses through the mail to earn his high school diploma. Then soon started studying engineering books. He worked in various jobs in the engine room of the ship and eventually was able to test to be a licensed engineer, which would require college degrees now.

Fred met Gussie Rogers, who lived with her parents in Clermont, Georgia. (She was born in Hiawassee, Georgia and had also lived in Gillsville). Gussie worked in Milners Department Store. Once engaged, the employees decorated the store for a wedding, for a Wednesday afternoon when stores closed back in 1954. So, Fred and Gussie got married in Milner’s store. One of the managers was also a Baptist preacher and officiated the service. The couple then moved to Galveston, Texas, and two years later they had moved to Clermont and had their first child, Clay. Fred decided to go back to sea because he could make a lot better income, since they had a child. So, Gussie took the baby back to Galveston. Later, when pregnant with Carey, Fred and Gussie bought a house in LaMarque, Texas.

Fred became a Chief Engineer and sailed mostly on the SS Leslie Lykes of the Lykes Brothers Steamship Company, then the largest US Merchant fleet. Fred and Gussie bought 86 acres in Banks County and moved there in the late summer of 1969. Their sons went to Banks County High School. Fred and Gussie lived in Banks County for the rest of their lives. Their son Clay went to college to become a graphic designer/artist, and Carey became a prominent guitar player and worked in construction.

Fred eventually retired and stayed busy gardening and enjoying his property. Fred often had visits to the house outside of Homer by the engineers he had mentored as Chief Engineer.

Fred is survived by his son, Fred Clay Hulsey; daughter-in-law, Carol Watkins Hulsey. Fred and Gussie dearly loved their only grandson, Carey Seth Hulsey and Fred’s beloved many nephews and nieces. As well as his sisters Ruth Hulsey Hix and Edith Hulsey Rogers.

Fred was an active member at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, where he finished planning out the church cemetery. Fred and Gussie were very much-loved members of the Banks County Community.

Memorial Park Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. For online condolences www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com  

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