Bonnie Bell Mullins

Services celebrating her life will be held on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at 10:00 AM at Calvary Baptist Church 3349 N 12th St, Abilene, TX 79603. Interment will follow in Elliott-Garden of Memories Cemetery where her earthly remains will be laid to rest next to her husband. Visitation will be held on Monday evening from 5-7:00 PM at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home.

Bonnie was born on July 28, 1934, in Birmingham, Alabama. She was a twin born to the late Robert Ollie Higginbotham, Sr. and Vallie Z. (Marsh) Higginbotham. Bonnie’s faced challenges in life early, however she found a relief and escape in art. From that time on she cultivated her skills. Her art can be found in the homes of her children and grandchildren and even some commercial venues. At a young age she followed her twin sister to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she met a young airman James H. Mullins. They married December 19, 1953, and began what would be a beautiful and enduring love story. The family was initially stationed in Abilene in 1953 and moved around following his career. They moved back to Abilene in 1992 from Arkansas. She loved her children and did all she could to provide for them. She loved her grandchildren and enjoyed creating special memories through the years. Her family was very special to her and enjoyed relationships with siblings and extended relatives as well in the early years.

Bonnie’s faith was the focal point of her life. She loved to share her hope in Jesus Christ with others. She was a member of Abilene Bible Church and enjoyed watching the service at Calvary Baptist. In the past she was involved with the ladies auxiliary of the V.F.W. She enjoyed being creative. In addition to painting, she loved crocheting and BINGO as well. Music brought joy and when her memory was lost the hymns of the church still brought her comfort and invoked praise in her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband, TSgt. James H. Mullins, USAF(Ret.); three children, Walter Russell Mullins, Burley Ray Mullins and Phillip McConaghy; grandsons, Christopher Mullins and John David Arnold; siblings, Rosie Nell Horst(twin), Robert Higginbotham, Jr., Gary Higginbotham, Sybil Durbin and Daniel Higginbotham.

She is survived by her children, James H. Mullins, Jr. (Carol), Robert Carl Mullins, Barbara Lynn Bright (Rodney), Penny Lynn Witkowski(Natalie), Benjamin Brice Mullins, Daniel Russell Mullins and Kenneth McConaghy; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; special friend, Maddie (Shorty); special niece, Nicole Higginbotham; numerous other relatives.