Althea Gail Fisher

On April 13, 1957, an amazing, loving daughter named Althea Gail Fisher was born. This tiny miracle was the daughter of the late Fred and Bernice Fisher. At birth she was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and not expected to live beyond adolescence. She proved them wrong. Althea received her primary and secondary education at Brevard Achievement Center in Rockledge, FL. In the early 70's, she was a pioneer of special Olympics in Brevard County. The event drew little attention at the time, but it sparked a change in society attitude toward the intellectually disabled. She ran track and field at first. There was so much love and compassion shown to fellow Olympians. If one needed help in finishing their run, others would stop and help each other. It didn't matter about winning the race, what mattered was the well-being of each other. The team were all one big family, helping each other be the best they could be. Their motto was, "let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt." Althea would later choose bowling as her favorite sport. She traveled all over the state of Florida and received gold, silver, bronze medals, many trophies and other awards. She also loved going to dances every weekend. Althea was a faithful lifetime member of St. James A.M.E. Church where she touched many hearts. She loved attending church with her devoted mother by her side. She would record the services on her tape recorder to listen to it later at home. During her lifetime, Althea began many volunteer hours at Brevard County Training Center under the supervision of Mrs. Essie Hall and Ms. Pat Mills of ARC. She volunteered at Knight's Grocery, Lincoln Store, The Sharing Center, and with Seniors at Lunch Program. Althea is survived by her siblings, Raymond Fisher (Rhonda), Eddie Fisher (Queen), Idella Jackson (Mark); nieces and nephews, Carlotta, Christy, Sam, and Leon, Stefanie, Raymond II, and Jantriece, Jonathan, Eddie Jr., Shayla, Timothy, and Ted., Mark II, Jerred, Kyle, and Malcolm and a host of loving host of great nieces and great nephews, cousins other relatives and friends; god brother, Dr. George L. Fayson, Sr. (Gladys) and god sister Carolyn Fayson (Rev. Verdell). She is also survived by special and devoted friends: Essie Hall, Pat Mills, Robynne Hester Kevin Davis, and Rosalynn McKinney.