Joseph "Joe" Edward Mullings

June 19, 1933 ~ January 10, 2015

Joseph “Joe” Edward Mullings, 81, passed away at his home on Saturday, January 10, 2015.

Joe was born in El Paso, Texas on June 19, 1933 at William Beaumont Army Medical Center to John Joseph and Ida Elizabeth Day Mullings, who preceded him in death. Joe’s younger sisters are Barbara Wingert of Albuquerque, NM (deceased), Mary Lou Smith of El Paso, TX, and Myrna Hughes of El Paso, TX. Joe was primarily raised by his maternal grandparents, Dora and Eugene Stevens, while his father was deployed serving in the U.S. Army. Joe began working at age twelve with a local newspaper route. During his high school years, he was the head doorman for the Interstate Theatre Corporation, who operated the L&A, Plaza, and Palace Theatres. After graduating from Austin High School in 1952, Joe worked for Lone Star Motor Company and Allied Fence Company, and served in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He began his career at Texaco Refinery in 1955 as an apprentice, and became a supervisor and skilled welder and pipe fitter. Joe retired in 1988 when the refinery was sold, and concentrated his efforts in retirement on enjoying and caring for his family - both immediate and extended.

Joe is mourned by his wife of 58 years, Nancy Jean Holmes Mullings; son, Joseph W. “Jody” Mullings (Melanie); and grandchildren, Katherine and David Mullings, all of El Paso, TX. Joe and Jean met while square-dancing at age 15, married in 1956, and were best friends and inseparable companions, having witnessed another UTEP basketball win just hours before Joe’s passing. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Lou Smith and Myrna Hughes (both of El Paso, TX); a sister-in-law, Jane Beets (Phoenix, AZ); nineteen nieces and nephews; and several great-nieces and nephews.

Joe was baptized at Tigua Baptist Church and was a 50-year member of Mt. Franklin Baptist Church, where he served in various capacities, including Sunday School teacher, deacon, and usher. He spent memorable times fishing and hunting with his son and grandchildren. He rarely missed one of their performances or sporting events - sometimes displaying his pride with a little too much gusto! He maintained regular fellowship with his fellow Texaco retirees, and enjoyed family travel vacations. Mostly, Joe was a family man. Together with Jean, they opened their home to two nieces and his mother-in-law, and raised their great-nephew, James (“Jamie”) Bromley, from age four to adulthood. In addition to being a wonderful father, Joe was a father-figure to so many young men (you know who you are), and his legacy can be summed up by the following:

Your name is very, very valuable

You got it from your father

Maybe it was all he had to give

But it’s yours to use and cherish

For as long as you may live.

You may lose the watch he gave you

It can always be replaced

But a black mark on our name, son,

Can never be erased.

So, guard it very closely

‘Cause after all is said and done

You’ll be glad the name is spotless

When you give it to your son.

- author unknown

Funeral Service for Joe will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Mt. Franklin Baptist Church, 201 E. Sunset Road, El Paso, TX, followed by a family burial at Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. The family respectfully requests that memorial donations be made to the Rescue Mission of El Paso, 1949 West Paisano Drive, El Paso, TX 79922, or a favorite charity in lieu of flowers. Services entrusted to Martin Funeral Home West, 128 N. Resler Dr., El Paso, Texas 79912. Please visit our online memorial website at www.MartinFuneralHomeWest.com.