Joyce Mullen

Joyce Virginia Goines Mullen

May 21, 1940 - April 2, 2021

Mom to two daughters & one son-n-law ❤️Tawnya, Kesha & Andy, she was Gammie to five grandchildren & three spouses ❤️ Amanda & Jose, Steven & Lindsey, Jaken & Tracie, Jonathon, Jackson and finally Gammie to six great grandchildren ❤️ Daniel, Sophia, Izzabella, Logan, Eli, and Brooklynne

Mom was born in Checotah, OK in 1940 at her childhood home where they lived in the country. She was delivered there by the local country doctor. Her mother, American Annie and her father, Thomas Jefferson Goines welcomed her into their family as the second to the youngest of thirteen children.

Growing up mom attended Onapa School which housed first grade through twelfth. She often spoke about playing on the high school basketball team as a forward and she was the salutatorian in her 1958 graduating class. In 1960, she moved to Orange County, California and started working as a secretary. She always excelled in her administration role. Soon thereafter, she met our dad James Mullen and they were married in January 1962. She then transitioned into her management role at Euclid Haven Apartments in 1965 and continued working there until she retired after 45 incredible years.

Mom had many hobbies that she enjoyed doing over the years: decorating her front and back yard, gold leafing ceramics, making floral arrangements, and sewing our clothes, curtains and it always was made with love. Mom had a caring heart and often could be found helping others and had the most generous soul. If she knew you were ill or having any type of hardship she was there to help. She loved her family, friends, and neighbors very much. She doted over her grandbabies; I’m pretty sure that when they came along it may have been some of the happiest years of her life. When we were growing up, she also sang with our dad at church and she had such a beautiful voice. I can remember her singing while she would be tidying up around the house. She enjoyed dancing and in her later years she danced almost on a weekly basis. During that time, she met some wonderful friends and told me one of her favorite dance partners was little Billie and that they would do the jitterbug. Her friends were family to her, and she was thankful for them. She always led an active lifestyle keeping our home intact and her apartment complex very presentable. Another special attribute about her was the gift of giving cards. She would take the time picking them out and she would write special heartfelt messages in them and often personalized them with stickers.

Some of Mom’s favorite things…

Butterflies - She had them placed everywhere inside her house and on her front porch and she passed along her love for them to her great grandchild Izzabella whom she often called her honey bunny

Bears- Mom had this set of pink singing bears, she adored them and greatly enjoyed all the grandchildren playing with them when they would come to visit her

Holidays - Recently, when I asked mom what her favorite holiday was she immediately said “Thanksgiving” that she loved to make her homemade cornbread dressing and cranberry salad, we've made sure to keep the traditions going

Flowers – Roses, especially pink & red

School Teachers - Mrs. Russel and Mr. Martin

The Color Green – This was easy to remember because she had the most beautiful green eyes that sparkled

Television shows - Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons, and When Calls the Heart. She let everyone know to not call her on Saturday or Sunday evenings because she did not want to miss her favorite hallmark shows

Pastor - Jimmy Swaggart, she loved watching his church services on tv

Scripture in the Bible - John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” She recently told me that without God doing this for us, we would be nothing!

Her favorite quote - which she also had on her wall in her bedroom and framed on her license plate

“Life is a song and God’s love is the music”

Mom you will be forever in our hearts and we are comforted knowing you are at peace now in heaven with Jesus!

We love you so very much, Mom,

Tawn, Keke, Andy, our children, their children, your loving family; sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews, cousins, brother and sister-n-law, and dear friends ❤️

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