Thomas Leland Mullins

 Thomas Leland Mullins departed this world in the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 17. He was 69. After a brief illness, he succumbed to a rare carcinoma. 

 A resident of Broadway Living Center in Lexington, Oklahoma, he was raised in Maysville from age 4 and attended school there through his youth, having graduated from Maysville High School in 1973. 

 Although handicapped from birth by cerebral palsy, Tom took life on his own terms, being known for insisting on going his own way and handling his own affairs to the degree that he was able. He had an admirable independence that never left him, no matter how constrained his circumstances were. In his last years he was confined to a wheelchair. He was plainspoken and was as independent as someone with his handicaps was able to be. For entertainment he loved westerns and comedies and music of all kinds. Raised in an OSU family, with a father and a brother who were both OSU graduates and fans, he was a lifelong OU fan whose room in Broadway Living Center was painted (walls and even floor) in crimson and cream. Tom was a caring individual who expressed gratitude and good wishes to those around him. He was a scrupulous observer of his fellow human beings, and was always aware of their routines and ways, and could (if asked) tell you whether someone was late or running behind or falling down on their job. At any moment, he knew the weather forecast and the time of day better than anyone. A baptized believer and a member of the Church of Christ, he knew and followed his Maker and Redeemer. In his last days he requested a large-print Bible from the nursing home's chaplain, and he enjoyed singing hymns with Jesse and Kit. He was much loved by many if not most of the staff at Broadway Living Center, where he lived for more than half of his life.

 Tom had no spouse and he left no descendants. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jess and Maxine Mullins, both of Maysville, Okla. He is survived by his sister, Sharon Richey, of Fort Worth, Texas; his brother Jesse Mullins, of Abilene, Texas; his sister-in-law Kit Mullins, also of Abilene; his nephews Reagan Richey of San Francisco, Calif., and Brandon Mullins of Carrollton, Texas; his nieces Gemma Hobbs of Sarasota, Fla., Sabrina Roberts of Carrollton, Texas, and Holly Mullins of Abilene, Texas; and numerous cousins.

 Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 pm, Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at the Church of Christ in Maysville, Oklahoma with Bro. Danny Carter officiating. Burial at Maysville Cemetery under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home in Maysville, Oklahoma. Words of comfort may be sent to the family at: www.winansfuneralhome.com