Joseph Mullins

Obituary For Joseph Mullins

Mr. Joseph Oliver Mullins quietly entered eternal rest on Tuesday, December 31, 2024. He was born on April 26, 1938, to Mr. Otis and Mrs. Ethel Blanche Mullins in Griffin, Georgia. In his heart, he accepted the teachings of Christ, yet he had a desire to study other religions and cultures.

Upon graduating from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, and with a sense of morality and a bold touch of courage, Mr. Mullins joined the Peace Corps to begin studying other religions and cultures. His travels to Iran, Iraq, Germany, Africa, France, and Great Britain enlightened his knowledge of the disfranchised participation in the American system for African Americans.

Mr. Mullins knew that he was bold, courageous, firm and understood politics. With this skill set, Mr. Mullins was appointed Executive Director of Memphis Area Project-South-Service Advocacy. A non-profit organization advocating new social concepts with a new boldness, a new dedication, and a renewed sense of morality, evidenced through a stronger community union of people. Memphis Area Project-South offered Nutrition Education Programs, U.S.D.A. Food Supplement Program, Alcoholism and Drug Counseling, Apprenticeship Trade Recruitment Program, Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Program, Sickle Cell Information Program, Senior Citizen Program, Arts and Craft Classes, and Free Health Clinic.

Mr. Mullins was a quiet and private person. His personality was firm unless he was advocating for the poor. He worked diligently writing grants and proposals to keep the Memphis Area Project-South in one of the poorest districts of Memphis. On September 30, 2024, Memphis Area Project-South closed its doors due to politics and budget reductions.

Mr. Mullins dedicated his life advocating for the poor, the homeless, and all people living in south Memphis for over 55 years. Mr. Mullins’ favorite quotes: “It is what it is.” and “Someone must care because the politicians do not.”

Mr. Mullins is preceded in death by his only son, Jamal Mullins; his wife, Francis Mullins; his parents, Otis and Ethel Mullins; his grandparents, Remar and Mary Miller; his brothers, Otis Jr., Robert Lewis, Herman Lee and Harold Franklin Mullins; his sisters, Margaret & Margarite Mullins (twins), Emma Louise Simmons, Esther Willis, and Ethel Belle Starks.

Mourning their loss are his sister-in-law, Mary Pearl Mullins of Detroit, Michigan; his caregivers, Sandra and Dwight Perkins; nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

The family will receive friends for a Graveside service Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 11:00am at Memorial Park Poplar 5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis, TN 38119