Nova Mullins

Nova Lee Freeman Mullins ABINGDON, Va. Nova Lee Freeman Mullins, 97, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2012, at her home. An only daughter, she was born in the Hurricane Section of Wise to the late Charles Madison Freeman and Myrtle Johnson Freeman. On March 21, 1931, Nova married William Watson Mullins in Middlesboro, Ky. Before moving to Abingdon to be near family, they spent most of their lives in Wise, where they owned and operated Mullins Grocery for 20 plus years. Mrs. Mullins, who worked in the store, took pride in and enjoyed sewing, quilting, gardening, preserving, cooking, and serving her Lord, was a member of Macedonia Church of Christ, 25350 Watauga Road, Abingdon, VA 24212. In her generation, she was the last surviving member of her immediate family. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her four brothers, Chester Charles, Willie Habern, Ross McCorkle and Joyce Kipling Freeman. Having been a loving daughter, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she leaves to mourn her passing two daughters and sons-in-law, Greta Lanore and Kyle Easterling of Bristol, Va. and Dina Lee and Mike Howard of Abingdon; five grandchildren and spouses, Kylene (Easterling) and Joe Hill of Bristol, Va., Dana Sue (Easterling) and Mark Frye of Bristol, Va., Julia Lee (Easterling) and Chet Rutledge of Springdale, Ark., Samuel Daren and Brigette Easterling of Mt. Pleasant, S.C. and Rebecca Lace Easterling of Abingdon; 11 great-grandchildren, Erica, Whitney and husband, John Taff, Isaac, Kirsten, Ian, Jacob, Maggie, Sarah, Raegan, Matthew and Pierce; a new great-great-grandson, John Taff V; several nieces, nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. The family would like to extend special thanks to caregivers, Celesta Harris, Tama Kelly and special granddaughter, Rebecca Easterling, for their loving care and compassion. Funeral services for Nova Mullins will be conducted at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012, at the Macedonia Church of Christ, 25350 Watauga Road, Abingdon, VA 24212 with Preacher Ron Musick officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. till time of services at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the church. Graveside committal services and burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, 2012, in the Freeman Family Cemetery Wise, Va. Family and friends will meet at the cemetery for services. Please visit www.sturgillfuneral.com to leave online condolences for the family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to HomeTown Hospice, LLC, 611 Campus Dr., Ste. 700, Abingdon, VA 24210. Sturgill Funeral Home, 1621 Norton Road S.W., Wise, VA, is in charge of arrangements.