RACHEL ANN MULLINS

Rachel Ann Mullins, matriarch and queen of her family, was born with much rejoicing to Oakley and Ferbie Mullins of Darwin, Virginia, on June 19, 1939. She left our world surrounded by her loving brood on July 21, 2020 at her home on Caney Ridge.

Rachel was a woman of great joy, love of family, humor, and a steadfast moral and ethical compass. Her famous generosity was freely given to all. Her family and cornbread were her religion, and she was faithful to both. Rachel never stood for injustice and would always call out wrongs—even to the extent of getting kicked out of class for supporting integration in the 1950s; she still has the paper to prove it. And, if you knew Rachel, you knew she possessed strong brand loyalty to Clorox, Viva Paper towels, Woman Within’s plaid flannel dresses, QVC, and the Democratic Party. During the last few days of her life, she mentioned one her great disappointments was not being able to vote on November third. Rachel jokingly requested that all her family vote twice for her.

Rachel was preceded in death by the love of her life, James Hoyt Mullins and her beloved daughter, Kathleen Dingus. Rachel was also preceded in death by her siblings Irene Musick, Richard Mullins, and Connie Ray Mullins.

Rachel is remembered by her siblings Roger Mullins (Connie) of Southpoint, Oh., Bernard Mullins of Van, WV, and Doris June Steele (Jack) of Clintwood. Her children, James Oakley Mullins (Monica) and Mark Travis Mullins (Melissa) of Kingsport, Tenn., Anna Mullins Case (Sean) and Tom Dingus (her beloved son in-law) of Clintwood, carry on her legacy. Her baby chick grandchildren Hoyt Wesley Dingus, Ariel Dawn Dingus, Chaz Gilbert, Rachel Kelsy Stillwell, Thomas Holden Dingus and Brianna Laura Ozburn will all miss her fluffy wings.

Grundy Funeral Home will be assisting the family through this time of grief and remembrance. However, services will be private and graveside-only for close family. She will be interred alongside her husband at Mullins Family Cemetery (Mullins Ridge) on Pound River. Ralph Stanley will be preaching through song. In lieu of flowers, Rachel and family request that you vote.

Grundy Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.