ELLA MAE MULLINS

Ella Mae Mullins, 87, passed away on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at Holston Valley Hospital in Kingsport, Tn. with her two sons by her side. She was a life-long resident of Dickenson County who was known for three things – homemaking, caring for children, and working in the Lord’s kingdom.

Ella Mae was born on January 9, 1937 to Farmer and Anna Jane Duff. As a young woman living in the Cranes Nest River community, she met Shirley Mullins. They married and for 66 years built a life together centered around growing a family, working businesses, and serving God and his people.

She is survived by her oldest son, Wade Lee Mullins and his wife Linda, of Seffner, Fl., and youngest, Phillip Grey Mullins and his wife Lori, of Weaverville, NC. Her middle child, Lisa Mullins Tompkins, is deceased.

Ella Mae had a very unique bond, born through adversity and nurtured by love, with her seven brothers and sisters with whom she shared rhyming middle names. She is survived by one brother, Roger Gray Duff.

She was preceded in death by Alice Faye Keels, Shirley Gaye Lafferty, Jimmy Ray Duff, Patton Jay Duff, Ollie Kay Lockhart, and Zachary (Jackie) Clay Duff.

She is also survived by five grandchildren, Rhett Mullins, of Valrico, Fl., Jada Rose, of Clintwood, Rhiannon Ferrall, of Valrico, Fl., Joella Hale, of Clintwood, and Hannah Hill, of Gainesville, Ga. She is survived by 11 great-grandchildren and many beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, at the Clintwood Colley Funeral Home with Gary Mullins and Shawn Wallace conducting the service. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the services. Her earthly remains well be laid to rest in the Phipps Memorial Cemetery near the earthly resting place of her husband, daughter, and brother Pat. Pallbearers will be Allan Hale, Aiden Hale, Kyle Hale, Rhett Mullins, Jayden Johnson, and Nolan Brick.

Ella Mae Mullins leaves a void in the hearts of so many. She was a combination of soft beauty and determined grit. She could provide solace and empathy with extraordinary tenderness and bark an order like a general in battle. She will be remembered for her impeccably clean house, her delicious meals (especially her scrumptious biscuits), and the ability to be a child’s most devoted provider and protector. She was driven by faith in God and to find ways to serve family, friends, neighbors, and brothers and sisters in Christ. She was the consummate mother to all she met. Arising from early years characterized by difficulty, she developed a determination to make her life, and those around her, better. She accomplished that and now passes on in hope of even a better life.

Clintwood Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Ella Mae Mullins.