Julia Rebecca Mullis

Julia Talley Mullis, 88, of Statesville, passed away Wednesday, March 2, 2016, at Brookdale Senior Living. She was born October 21, 1927, in Troutman to the late Dr. John Samuel Talley and Edith McLaughlin Talley and grew up in the house that is now Julia's Talley House. Julia was a graduate of Troutman High School, Mitchell College, and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. On December 29, 1948, she married James Ralph Mullis, Sr., who preceded her in death. In 1956, Julia and Ralph moved from Troutman to Statesville. They built a house on Henkel Road, where they lived among neighbors who became treasured friends. Julia was an active member of the First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, where she at one time served as the president of the Women of the Church. She had a talent for arranging flowers and enjoyed helping to decorate the church for special events with flowers from her garden. In addition to flowers, Julia had a passion for horses and cats and loved to travel. Her many friends cherished her quick wit, her optimistic outlook, and her sense of adventure. Whether it was dinner at a local restaurant, a jaunt to the movies, a weekend at the beach, or a trip to Europe, Julia was always ready to go. In addition to her parents and husband, Julia was preceded in death by two sons, Samuel Harvey Mullis and James Ralph Mullis, Jr., and one brother, John Banks Talley. She is survived by her daughter, Susan Mullis Klein; her son-in-law, John Dresser; her only grandchild, Jamie Klein; and her lifelong friend, Nancy Reid, all of Statesville. The family would like to thank the staff of Brookdale Senior Living and Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County for the loving care and attention they provided to Julia. Funeral services will be conducted at First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Statesville on Sunday, March 6, at 3:00 p.m., with the Reverend Phillip R. McCoy officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends on Sunday from 2:00-3:00 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to First Associated Reformed Presbyterian Church, 123 E. Broad Street, Statesville, NC 28677 or Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.