Ward F Mullis

Presbyterian Medical Center after a brief illness. His wife, of 14 years, Linda Barbour Mullis, was by his side, at the time of his passing. He was born on March 22, 1930 the son of Franklin Caldwell and Lena Jenkins Mullis at the family home on Highway 218 in Union County, North Carolina. Ward was the ninetieth of 100 grandchildren born to his paternal grandfather, James Samuel Mullis – there are eight surviving grandchildren including his sister Sibyl Mullis Simpson. Ward was preceded in death by his wife of more than 50 years, Nell Brooks Mullis, his sisters Moyse Mullis Little and Olive Mullis Braswell and his brother Duell (Deek) Mullis. Ward is survived by his wife Linda; sister Sibyl, children, Ronald Baucom (wife Charlotte), Diane Chandler, and Gary Mullis (wife Marla). He is also survived by six grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Mr. Mullis graduated from New Salem High school, class of 1949, and served in the US Marine Corps from 1950 to 1952. He studied accounting and graduated from Carolina Business College. After military service, he worked at Shaw Manufacturing Company until 1972 when he retired as president. He joined Gibson Smith Realty Company as an associate in 1972; he retired as president and partner in 2013. In 1992 he was named realtor of the year by the Charlotte Association of Realtors. He served one term as the president of the Charlotte Association of Realtors. Mr. Mullis was a member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) from 1981 to 2010. His service to the real-estate industry included service on the state ethics committee.

Ward joined Commonwealth Baptist Church (later renamed Briar Creek Road Church) in 1964 where he served as a Sunday School teacher for 40 years, deacon, choir member, and chair of various committees. In 2004 he joined Providence Baptist Church where he served as a Sunday School teacher and deacon.

In 1992 Ward was the general Chairman for the Charlotte Campaign for the Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) of North Carolina. He was the recipient of the 2007 North Carolina Baptist Heritage Award for his dedication and support to Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina. The award recognizes individuals and couples who represent exemplary giving and service to organizations associated with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. The award was presented by BCH president Michael C. Blackwell at a ceremony on April 26 at the Grandover Resort and Conference Center in Greensboro. He served on the BCH board of trustees for over 15 years including two as chairman.

Ward Mullis was renowned for his humor and storytelling. He often remarked the benefit of growing up in Goose Creek Township in Union County was you never had to make anything up - the true stories were funnier and more remarkable than any fiction. Ward was warm and personable. He was as likely to engage the parking attendant in conversation as the CEO of the biggest firm in town.

Ward’s devotion was first to his savior, Jesus Christ. Among his favorite passages, which he requested be read to him on the Monday prior to his passing, was Philippians 2, 5-8.

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Ward was devoted to his beloved wife Linda, who cared for him and saw to his every need as his illness progressed. He was also devoted to his family; literally his last wish was for them – each of them - to know his undiluted love for them.

A funeral service will be held at Providence Baptist Church, located at 4921 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 at 1:00 pm. The visitation will precede the funeral from 10:00 am till 12:30 pm at the church. The interment will be at Sharon Memorial Park following the service. Dr. Lee Canipe, Senior Pastor, Providence Baptist Church and Dr. Michael Blackwell, President of BCH will officiate the service.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be sent to the Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina (BCH), P.O. Box 338, Thomasville, NC 27361 or Providence Baptist Church – Missions Fund, 4912 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC.

Special note from Linda:

Ward and I would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone who prayed, loved, supported and cared for us throughout this journey. We would also like to take the staff of Presbyterian Medical Center and the angels in the Harris Hospice Unit for their skilled and loving care. A very special thanks to Tamara Garnush for her outstanding love and care.