Barbara Helen Himel Mullins

Barbara Helen Himel Mullins passed away Friday, August 12, 2016, at her home in Laurel, Mississippi. Visitation will be 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 15, at First United Methodist Church of Laurel. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. at the church with burial following at Lake Park Hills Cemetery in Laurel. Born in Glen Allen, MS on February 24, 1939 to Helen Henry and R. H. Himel, Barbara Helen grew up in Leland, MS and graduated from Leland High School in 1957. She received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Millsaps College in 1961, where she was a member of Kappa Delta sorority and Millsaps Singers. In 1961, Barbara Helen married William S. Mullins, III and they moved to Laurel, MS in 1962. She enjoyed being a “stay-at-home” mom to her children, Katherine and Will. She also enjoyed cooking as well as working a part-time job through the years as a bridal and wedding consultant for House of Cachet and Roberts. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Laurel since 1962, where she participated in the Sanctuary Choir, United Methodist Women, Altar Guild, and Massey-Peden Sunday School class. She also served on the Administrative Board, as the church’s wedding coordinator, as well as Children’s Coordinator and teacher. Barbara Helen was a Life member of both Junior Auxiliary of Laurel and Laurel Arts League and served on Laurel Little Theater’s board of directors. She was a docent at the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art and a member of the Little Garden Club of Laurel. She was predeceased by her parents; aunts and uncles Katy and Raymond Himel, Christine Nelms, and Carolou and James Gerald; and brothers-in-law Thomas R. Mullins (and wife Martha) and Richard Drew Blackwell. Barbara Helen is survived by her husband of 55 years, William S. Mullins, III; children Katherine Mayer (Jack) of Memphis, TN and William S. Mullins, IV (Ashley) of Hockley, TX; grandchildren Helen Mayer (Barbara Helen’s namesake) of Memphis, TN, Robert Mayer (Emily) of Memphis, TN, and Bryan Mayer (Nicole) of Mobile, AL; great-grandchildren Drew Mayer and James Mayer of Memphis, TN; first cousins Raymond Himel of Dallas, TX, James Gerald, Jr. of Clarksdale, MS, Thomas Gerald of Lompoc, CA, Carolyn Gerald Swartswelder of New Orleans, LA, and Joe Henry Nelms of San Francisco, CA; sisters-in-law Mabel Greene (Douglas) of Cleveland, TN, Martha Blackwell of Macon, MS, and Carol Mullins of Birmingham, AL; and four nieces and five nephews. The family is appreciative of the loving care she was given daily these last eight years by Jeanetter Graham. The family also appreciates the special care she received these last few weeks by the staff of Comfort Care Hospice. Memory Chapel of Laurel is in charge of the arrangements. Pallbearers will be George Bassi, Horace Boyd, Louis Crumbley, Geof Galaher, Mark Herring, and Rand McLaughlin. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art or First United Methodist Church of Laurel. To sign the online guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

Barbara Helen Himel Mullins

February 24, 1939 - August 12, 2016