Colene Deal Mullis

Colene Deal Mullis, 86, of Statesville, passed away peacefully in her sleep following a brief ailment on April 22, 2026.

She was born in Taylorsville, NC, on June 25, 1939. Colene was known for her quiet strength and calm grace. She was not one to say much, but when she saw fit to share her wisdom, everyone paid attention. An avid reader, she was a frequent visitor to the Iredell County Library. As a woman of faith, Colene read her bible frequently and had held memberships at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Taylorsville and Front Street Baptist Church in Statesville. She kept her mind sharp with all kinds of word puzzles, especially crosswords. In her younger days, she and her husband relished riding their motorcycle and spending time at the beach. She was a beloved mother who loved spoiling her “favorite” children; always telling each they were her favorite. Her refrigerator and tabletops are covered with pictures of her “favorite” children, their families, and fur babies. Colene was an accomplished seamstress and she used her talents to build a career first at Beauty Maid, then at Bali. She eventually retired from Zimmer Patient Care.

She is survived by her husband of 70 years come December, Connie Lee Mullis, 92, of the home. She has three surviving children, Michael “PeeWee” Mullis (Cindy), of Charlotte, Cynthia “Cindy” M. Henline (Charlie) of Statesville, and Teresa M. Brown (Fred Jr.) of Statesville. Because she was too special for just one term of endearment, her grandchildren, Chris Mullis (Christine), Samantha Mullis (Eric), Bryan Mullis (Brooke), Brandon Mullis (Hannah), Jenny Mullis (Justin), and Fred Brown IV, gave her many names including MawMaw, Grandma, and Nana - which makes sense when told that in 6th grade she changed her birth name from Valerie Colleen to Velvra Colene and remained Velvra Colene from then on. She had seven great-grandchildren that she absolutely adored, Joseph, Chance, Jackson, Cameron, Lando, Layne, and Owen. She was one of seven children and has three surviving siblings, Brenda Deal Lowe (James), Roger Deal (Linda), and Robert Deal, Jr. (Thea), as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert Partee Deal, Sr., and Ona Kerley Deal, as well as her sister Clara Jean Austin (JP), and two brothers, Michael Keith Deal, and Joseph “Joe” Deal (Phyllis). To her great sorrow, she was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Elizabeth Anne Mullis, in 1957 and her oldest son, Richard Mullis, in 2006.

A graveside service with Pastor Terry Tucker officiating will be held at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Taylorsville, Sunday, April 26, 2026 at 4:00. Anyone wishing to pay their respects is welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to either Hospice of Iredell County or to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery Fund.

Arrangements for Mrs. Mullis are in the care of Troutman Funeral Home.