Athalia Christine Mullikin

Athalia Christine Guggolz Mullikin passed away on March 30, 2006, after a lengthy illness. She was born on December 17, 1921, in Teague, Texas, to George and Etta May Guggolz. After graduating salutatorian of her high school class in 1939, she attended junior college in Tehuacana, Texas, for one year. In 1941, she was accepted into the John Sealy School of Nursing in Galveston and graduated in 1944. Afterwards, she began nursing at Parkland Hospital in Dallas and later worked at Children?s Hospital in Dallas. She met medical student Gerald G. Mullikin in Dallas and married him on March 12, 1945. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. After moving from Dallas to Longview in 1966, she volunteered in the community while raising four sons. Mrs. Mullikin was a past board member of the Longview Symphony League, a member of Prelude Symphony Guild, and a member of the Camellia Garden Club. She had also served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church for almost 40 years, where she was a long-time member of the Thelma Morgan Sunday School Class. Her love of books and her curious mind led her to volunteer at the FUMC library and to her membership in the Longview Study Club. She also enjoyed cooking and sewing. Her family will dearly miss her lively participation in holiday board games, humorous one-liners, reading recommendations and her delicious cookies. All her knew her will miss her gracious spirit, gentle strength and her unwavering faith in family and God. She was preceded in death by brother, George Brooks Guggolz; father, George Guggolz; brother, J.D. Guggolz; and mother, Etta May Guggolz. Mrs. Mullikin is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Gerald G. Mullikin and four sons and daughters-in-law; Randy and Kathleen of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Ron and Sharlene of Houston, George and Cindy of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and John and Carol of Longview. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Mary of Little Rock, Arkansas, Mackenzie and Olivia of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Caitlyn and Cameron of Houston, Ella and Ben of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and Hannah and Garret of Longview. Cousin Ben M. Simms of Amarillo and his children, Sherry, Tim, Tom and Terri-Nan, and cousin B. Saunders ?Buddy? Brooks and family of Louisville, Colorado also survive her. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2006 at Rader Funeral Home. Following a private internment, a memorial service celebrating her life will be held Tuesday, April 4 at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Fredonia. Rev. David Lindwall and Rev. Pat Sparks, FUMC Longview and Rev. Dr. William Ingersoll, First Presbyterian, Kilgore, will preside. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Longview Symphony League, First United Methodist Church Longview or Greater Hospice of Texas.

Athalia Christine Mullikin

November 17, 1921 - March 30, 2006