Faye McLeod Mullis, of Mobile, Alabama, was born on July 26, 1950 at home in Leakesville, Mississippi and passed away at home in Mobile, surrounded by family on April 30, 2024. She was preceded in death by her parents, Andin Capps McLeod, Sr. and Theta Faye McLeod, brother Dr. Benjamin Stewart McLeod, aunts Janeil Stewart Dukes and L’Eva Stewart, sisters and brothers in law Becky McLeod, Betty McLeod, Dr. Lee Mullis and Barrow Mullis.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Ralph Huntley “Buzz” Mullis, brother Dr. Andin Capps McLeod, Jr., children Suzanne Mullis Crawley (Josh), Kathryn “Kate” Mullis Medine (Travis) and Dr. Andin Huntley Mullis (Susan), grandchildren Travis Michael Medine, Jr, Stewart Charles Medine, Thomas Allen Medine, Louise Claire Medine, Andin Huntley Mullis, Jr, John Benjamin Mullis and Margaret Anne Mullis. She is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and her best friend, Suzy Smith. She will be greatly missed by her loving pets, her dog Nola and cats Sadie and Barney who were always by her side.
She grew up in Leakesville and enjoyed the benefits of living in a small town with several family members nearby, including her grandparents next door. She would love to tell stories about how she and her best friend, Charlene, would start the family car with a quarter and drive around town with one at the wheel and the other controlling the pedals. She loved to ride her horse, Fancy Pants, often. Her love of animals started as a little girl when she would try to take in any stray cat; She even took in a bobcat at one point. It was in Leakesville, that she learned to play piano from her grandmother. This talent and her love of music is something that she passed on to her children and grandchildren.
After losing her mother at seventeen, family was especially important to her throughout her life. She had a special bond with her mother’s younger sister, Janeil. In many ways Janeil served as a surrogate mother to her and was no doubt a surrogate grandmother to her children.
After graduating from Greene County High School, where she was lead majorette and played clarinet in the band, she attended the University of Southern Mississippi and then moved to Memphis to be close to her brother Andin and his wife and children. She ultimately followed them to Mobile where she lived for the rest of her life. She met Buzz within two years of moving to Mobile and they married in 1977. Her dream was always to become a mother. She and Buzz raised three children together but the role she cherished most was being “Cha Cha” to her seven grandchildren.
Faye loved children and once her own children were all in school, she worked as a teacher’s aide at the St. Paul’s Lower school where she formed friendships with coworkers that she always cherished. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where she served on the Altar Guild, St. Margaret’s guild and chair of the wedding committee. She loved her church supper club, most of which were together while members at All Saints Episcopal Church as well. Over the years, she supported the community as a volunteer with several organizations, including the Mobile Symphony Committee and the Art Patron’s League.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Mary King and Jocelyn Richardson for their dedication and the care they provided to Faye in her final months.
The family is at peace knowing that she is now reunited with her mother and all her loved ones that preceded her in death. A memorial service will be held on Friday May 3, 2024 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Mobile, AL at 11:00 am with visitation at 10:00 am.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Save a Stray animal rescue service 5502 Old Shell Rd. Mobile, AL 36608 or to any charity of your choice.
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