Obituary - Norma Jean (Sullins) Mullen

Norma Jean (Sullins) Mullen, 79, Adrian, Missouri, died Monday, December 9, 2013 at Adrian Manor Nursing Home in Adrian. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 12, 2013 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Adrian with burial in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 11 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to: John's Care Fund, c/o Atkinson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 325, Adrian, MO 64720. 

Norma was born August 3, 1934 at her grandparents’ farm home, north of Adrian. She was the first child of Earlest Ely and Mabel N. (Pierce) Sullins. She lived all her life in and around Adrian with the exception of 1 and a half years in the state of Washington. She attended the Hess, Buckhorn and Crescent Hill Country Schools and the Adrian High School. 

She married Sylvester Franklin Mullen in Bethel, Kansas on September 18, 1953 and they were the parents of one adopted son, John Franklin Mullen. She professed her faith in Christ at an early age, becoming a member of the Crescent Hill United Brotheran Church. Later her membership was moved to the Methodist Church in Adrian and then to the First Baptist in Adrian where it remained. 

She worked very hard all her life at various places. Sewing factory, fire extinguisher company, several families, cared for many children, veterinarian assistant and Adrian School custodian. When her seven-month-old son came into their lives she remained home caring for him and keeping the books for her husband’s plumbing business. She was also dedicated to caring for family members whenever she was needed. She was a homemaker who loved her family. She loved working in her yard and flowers but her greatest joy was seeing the many trees she planted grow straight and strong. She received a certificate of honor from the Arbor Day Foundation for being an avid supporter for over thirty years. She was a member of the Humane Society and actively worked for the humane treatment of all of God’s animals. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 2010, her brothers, Richard and Robert Sullins and two nephews, Robert Dean Sullins and Phillip Renner Gilkeson. She is survived by her son, John of the home; one sister, Sandra Gilkeson and husband, Renner of Creighton, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Rose Sullins of Adrian and Beverly Sullins of Papinville, Missouri; brother-in-law, Glenn Mullen and wife, Carol of Peculiar, Missouri; a number of nieces, nephews, family and friends. She will be greatly missed by all.