Gloria Jean Mullins

Gloria went to her heavenly home on the morning of Monday, February 28, 2022. There is a joyous reunion there as she joins many loved ones. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 pm, Saturday, March 5, 2022, and the funeral service will be at 2pm, Sunday, March 6, 2022, both at the funeral center. Interment will follow in Steep Hollow Cemetery. Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers, Bryan-College Station.

She was born on January 12, 1937, to Otho Meron and Lavinia Obera Murphy in Edge, Texas. The youngest of 7 children. Gloria grew up primarily in Shallowater, Texas and was very involved in many activities in Shallowater High School. She was active in sports, mainly basketball, theater, debate and all the other things that small schools offer. She met the love of her life while still in high school after his mother asked her to write to her son James Franklin “Jimmy” Mullins who was in the United States Marine Corps. She once told me she fell in love with him when she saw him in his Marine Corps blues. They married on July 18, 1955, right after she graduated from high school.

Being a military wife meant frequent moves and time away from her big family. First moving to 29 Palms in California where this Texas girl experienced her first earthquake. Her first daughter Deborah Joy Mullins Olexey was born in San Diego, California. The next move was to El Paso, Texas where her second daughter Rebecca Ann Mullins Pool was born. Then it was off to North Carolina. In 1966 they moved to Bryan, Texas where they would stay closer to family while Jimmy was off for two years prior to retiring from the USMC. In 1969 she was blessed with her first son James Franklin Mullins, Jr. Then in 1971 Judith Ellen Mullins Keller joined the family to make it complete.

Gloria was a stay-at-home Mom until the youngest were well into school and then she went to work for Bryan Independent School District in food services where she worked until retirement in 2002. She retired to care for Jimmy who was diagnosed with lung cancer. She lost the love of her life on July 9, 2002, just 9 days shy of her 47th anniversary. At that time, she moved in with her daughter Rebecca. Where she would live until just recently her condition required her to move into a care home for 24-hour care. Living in the same town with all her children allowed her to be a very involved grandmother. Babysitting all of them as needed and full time for the youngest two. Being “Grandma” to her grandkids was her greatest joy. Then she became “Momo” to two great grandsons and “G-ma” to two other great grandsons. These great grandchildren brought a spark out in her and would always make her smile.

Gloria was preceded in death by husband James F. Mullins,Sr.; her parents Otho and Obera Murphy; her sisters, Ozell Langdon, Lillie Byers and brother-in-law Herbert “Gaines” Byers, Elva Maniord and brother-in-law Howard Maniord; her brothers Charles Melvin Murphy and Olan Everett Murphy and sister-in-law Florence “Flo” Murphy. She was also preceded by many nieces and nephews who grew up either as best friends or were just like her children.

Gloria is survived by her brother Derrell R. Murphy and sister-in-law Polly Murphy.; her daughters, Debbie Olexey and spouse Kenneth, Becky Pool and spouse Curtis, Julie Keller and spouse James; her son James Mullins Jr. and his special lady Donna Crawley; her daughter-in-law Sherry Mullins; her grandchildren Krystal Olexey Knutson and spouse Jason, Justin Olexey, Lauren Keller, James “Jay” Mullins, Caden Mullins; her great grandchildren Grayson and Austin Knutson and Terrell and Trey Keller; her many nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Gloria will be missed by all who loved and knew her.

The family would like to thank Hospice Brazos Valley, especially Jessica and Janis who have been providing loving care to Mom.
We Also want to thank the owner and caregivers at Jo’s Peaceful Heart, Faye, Kiah, Stephinie and Raven for all their loving care over the last 4 month