Shirley Ann Ward Mullinnix

Visitation will be held at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station on Tuesday, August 24, 2021 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm.

Graveside Service will be held Wednesday, August 25 at 10:30 am in Norwood Cemetery in Hearne.

Shirley was born in Kirk, Texas on January 25, 1935 to Clifton and Bessie Ward. After a brief time in Marlin, the family moved to Rosebud, Texas when Shirley was in sixth grade. While in Rosebud, she met a group of life-long friends that she continued to visit throughout her life.

Shirley met Donald on a blind date when she was a senior at Rosebud High School. They quickly loved one another and married in 1952. She finished her senior year of high school in Hearne. She liked to say that Daddy signed her report cards.

Shirley and Donald lived in Hearne throughout their 29 year marriage until his death in 1981. They created a home, a family, and a loving life together. Shirley was a school secretary in Hearne ISD for 30 years, helped Daddy in his sheet metal business and remodeled rent houses in her “spare time”. They had three children together: Debra Mullinnix of Galveston, Donna Ely of Gause, and Brian Mullinnix of College Station. As a mother, Shirley was always present at band recitals, little league baseball games, high school football games and school plays. A gifted seamstress, she sewed twirling uniforms, prom dresses and wedding dresses. She was a constant presence in her children and grandchildren’s lives throughout her life. She was an active member of Hearne Baptist Church until moving to Bryan in 2011. While in Hearne, she focused her life on family and life-long friends. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, reading, and visiting with friends and family.

Shirley is preceded in death by her parents, Clifton and Bessie Ward; her sisters, Betty Jo Neal and Billie Kraemer; and her husband, Donald Mullinnix.

Shirley is survived by her children, Debra Mullinnix (Pam), Donna Ely (Myron), and Brian Mullinnix; grandchildren, Keith Ely (Amanda), Elizabeth Meline (Bobby), Justin Mullinnix (Nikki), Jordan Mullinnix (Megan), and Mark Mullinnix; and great-grandchildren, Mason Ely, Ellison Ely, Victoria Meline, Jade Meline, and Gavin Meline.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialfuneralchapel.com for the Mullinnix family.