Evelyn Grant Mullen

With heartbreaking sorrow, we say goodbye to Evelyn Grant Mullen (Cary, North Carolina), born on January 31, 1941 on a 19th Century farm in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Following the death of her father, Daniel, nine-year-old Evelyn, her mother, and her three younger sisters relocated to East Rockingham, North Carolina. Evelyn’s lifelong focus on equity through public education and on the rights of women was forged in the fire of childhood poverty and witnessing neighbors locked in lives without education or trade or choice. A serious and focused child, Evelyn graduated valedictorian from Rohanen High School, then went on to Wingate College and Western Carolina University as a scholarship and work-study student finishing with a bachelor’s degree in education. At Western Carolina, while working in the school cafeteria, Evelyn Grant caught the eye of Joel Mullen from Raleigh, NC. The two started dating and quickly fell into each other’s easy company and laughter. Shortly after graduation and prior to Joel’s enlistment in the Navy, Evelyn and Joel married in Evelyn’s home church following the Sunday service. Reverend Phillip Tillman called out, “if anyone would like to stay after the service, we will have the marriage ceremony of Joel Mullen and Evelyn Grant”. Two weeks later, Joel left to begin his military service as Evelyn continued working and supporting her mother and two of her younger sisters.

Unusual by today’s practice, Evelyn was certified to teach Language Arts and Social Studies to students in Kindergarten through 12th Grade. As such, she began her career teaching high school World Civilization and English where she pushed her students to their fullest potential. Teaching awards followed and in 1964 she was awarded the Teacher of the Year award for Richmond County. As the years moved on, Evelyn educated the people of North Carolina across several counties, encountering and addressing the devastation of segregation on schools, butting heads with the local KKK, and standing up against injustice. Bullies struggled against the five-foot two-inch, 110-pound warrior.

Evelyn believed in and practiced continuous personal and professional improvement. Following several years teaching in the classroom, she completed studies and obtained her certificate in library media coordination. In this new role, Evelyn used her talents to educate the citizens of North Carolina on how to access what she considered a pillar of a healthy democracy – the analog and digital Library. As she continued to grow professionally, Evelyn was an early adopter of technology in education. She began teaching computer literacy and coding at Wiley Elementary International Magnet School in Raleigh, NC in the 1980’s where she had her students communicating via computer with school children in Japan well before the internet existed in the mainstream. Her efforts were recognized, and she was named Teacher of the Year for Wiley and, in 1993, North Carolina Media Coordinator of the Year.

Her devotion to the education of herself and others was surpassed only by her devotion to her family and especially to her daughter, Leigh to whom she gave unconditional love. When Leigh married Alex, Evelyn gained a son and the two enjoyed discussing politics over coffee during their shared early mornings. When her granddaughter, Ava was born, Evelyn’s heart exploded with love and pride.

As these awards came, so did Evelyn’s desire to advance her skills. In 1999, Evelyn completed her Master in Education at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC with a focus on Instructional Technology (teaching educators how to use technology in the educational/academic environment). From here, Evelyn moved to train teachers and administrators and to complete projects as a Coordinating Teacher for one of the largest school districts in the country - the Wake County Public School System. Known for her exceptional skills as a public speaker, her colleagues would often push her forward to speak on their behalf at meetings at the local, state and national levels. Throughout her personal and professional life, Evelyn ascribed to the following: work hard, be prepared, tell the truth, and do what is right. Colleagues recognized and respected Evelyn for her ethos. Evelyn finally retired having completed over 40 years of service to the State of North Carolina.

From their first days together, Joel and Evelyn knit together their meager resources. Through hard work, thoughtful planning, and shared work, they built a beautiful life together. Their sixty-one years of partnership were full of dreams, international travel, the ability to care for multiple family members, and shared love and laughter. In 2011, she and Joel purchased a home with their daughter, Leigh, and son-in-law, Alex, to begin life in a fun and loving multigenerational home. This gave them all the greatest gift – time together. When Evelyn passed away on December 4, 2024 at WakeMed Cary Hospital, she was embraced by the abundant love of God, by her mother, Ruth, and her father, Daniel, and given the solace of death from the physical pain of this earth. We are comforted by our belief in Jesus Christ and of Evelyn’s resurrection; we know we will see her again one day.

Evelyn was predeceased by her parents, Reverend Daniel Grant and Ruth Grant. She is survived by her sisters, Mary, Martha (Fred), and Ann (Randy); her husband Joel, her daughter Leigh; her son-in-law Alex; and her granddaughter Ava, whom she loved dearly and celebrated often. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, whom she adored: Lori, Mark, and Jennifer (Mary); Beth, Jim, and Todd (Martha & Fred); and Heather (Ann & Randy), and all their children.

Through marriage, Evelyn is predeceased by her sisters-in-law, Mattie Lee and Colleen and survived by her brother-in-law, Winston. She is also survived by many beloved Mullen nieces and nephews.

A Visitation was held in the Chapel of Mitchell Funeral Home, 7209 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612, on Sunday, December 15, 2024. A Celebration of Life Service followed. A Graveside Service was held on Monday, December 16, 2024 in the Mausoleum Chapel of Raleigh Memorial Park, 7501 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27612.

We deeply appreciate all the love, support and prayers we have received during this most difficult time. We ask friends and family to celebrate Evelyn’s life by considering a donation in her name to the North Carolina State University College of Education Student Scholarship Endowment.

May Evelyn’s legacy inspire us to be brave, fight for human rights and for the rights of women, and love generously.

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