Joyce La Rue Mullinax

On April 6, 2021, Joyce La Rue Mullinax of 93 years departed this world to enter the arms of Jesus. She described this anticipated event to be “A glorious day” as she talked about her faith during her last days.

Joyce was born on August 5, 1927 in Bayside, Texas to Silas and Lottie Evans. She lived her early years in Sandia, Texas with her parents and siblings as a farmer’s daughter. She graduated from Mathis High School in 1945 as class Valedictorian. Joyce married the love of her life, Roy Mullinax, in 1946. During their early years of marriage, she sent her husband off to the Korean War leaving her behind with two children, Benny and Karen, who would await Roy’s return. Soon after his return, their third child Marcy was born. After Roy’s military service, she and Roy dedicated their lives to sharing Jesus with others. In 1959, they moved to Taipei, Taiwan with their three children to serve as missionaries with the Churches of Christ. During their service of 17 years, both Joyce and Roy learned the Mandarin language and developed a deep love for the Chinese people. So much so, they adopted their youngest bi-racial child Tina who joined their three children to complete the family circle.

During the missionary years, Joyce was a quiet role model. Many women sought counsel from Joyce in their roles as mothers and missionary wives as they too acclimated to a new country. Friends always spoke highly of her and described her as selfless, kind, gentle, and sweet. Roy described her as his faithful wife who possessed physical beauty, a sharp mind, and a Christian attitude as he reflected on 55 years of marriage prior to his passing.

After their mission stint, Roy and Joyce returned to San Diego, California with hopes to plant Chinese churches in the local area. Instead, they became hotel managers for the Kala Kai Motel located on the Pacific Beach boardwalk. She often worked tirelessly to ensure guests felt welcomed with unrelenting hospitality. No one was a stranger.

At the heart of it, Joyce was truly a homemaker and mother. She showered love on her family through the gift of cooking. Mealtime was an important ritual where she showcased her skills. Feeding people was her love language. It was not uncommon to see large groups of friends or family gathered regardless of economic status or race, all were invited to the table.

Joyce was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Her role as grandmother, and later as Grammy to her great-grandchildren, brought her much joy and many smiles. She lived a rich and full life surrounded with family. Joyce was preceded in death by her parents, Silas and Lottie Evans, and her husband, Roy Mullinax, her brothers Edgar Wayne Evans and Noble Truman Evans, and her sister, Doris McClellan, and their spouses, her son-in-law, Tracy Fleet, and her great-grandson, Joshua Fogel. She is survived by her son Benny Mullinax and wife, Rine, of San Diego, California, her daughter, Marcy Longfellow and husband, Michael of Sherman, Texas, Karen Collins, and Tina Fleet of Abilene, Texas, nine grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, Joyce’s family wishes that a donation be made in her name to the mission work founded by co-missionaries. Richard and Maudine Ady with World English Institute (WEI) or the Short family in Tanzania. Contributions can be sent to:

Short Tanzania Fund

College Church of Christ

712 E Race Ave

Searcy, AR 72143

WEI

Metro Church of Christ

1525 NW Division Street

Gresham, OR 97030

Dick Ady, Founder of WEI

E-mail: [email protected]