Mullikin, Athalia Christine Guggolz 

Athalia Christine Guggolz Mullikin passed away on March 30, 2006, after a lengthy 
illness. She was born on December 17, 1921, in Teague, Texas, to George and Etta 
May Guggolz. After graduating salutatorian of her high school class in 1939, she 
attended junior college in Tahuacana, Texas, for one year. In 1941, she was 
accepted into the John Sealy School of Nursing in Galveston and graduated in 1944. 
Afterward, she began nursing at Parkland Hospital in Dallas and later worked at 
Children's Hospital in Dallas. She met medical student Gerald G. Mullikin in Dallas 
and married him on March 12, 1945. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding 
anniversary. After moving from Dallas to Longview in 1966, she volunteered in the 
community while raising four sons. Mrs. Mullikin was a past board member of the 
Longview Symphony League, a member of Prelude Symphony Guild, and a member of the 
Camellia Garden Club. She had also served as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels. She 
was an active member of First United Methodist Church for almost 40 years, where 
she was a long-time member of the Thelma Morgan Sunday school class. Her love of 
books and her curious mind led her to volunteer at the FUMC library and to her 
membership in theLongview Study Club. She also enjoyed cooking and sewing. Her 
family will dearly miss her lively participation in holiday board games, 
humorous one-liners, reading recommendations and her delicious cookies. All who 
knew her will miss her gracious spirit, gentle strength and her unwavering faith 
in family and God. She was preceded in death by brother, George Brooks Guggolz; 
father, George Guggolz; brother, J.D. Guggolz; and mother, Etta May Guggolz. Mrs. 
Mullikin is survived by her husband of 61 years, Dr. Gerald G. Mullikin; and four 
sons and daughters-in-law, Randy and Kathleen of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Ron and 
Sharlene of Houston, George and Cindy of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and John and 
Carol of Longview. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Mary of Little Rock, 
Arkansas, Mackenzie and Olivia of Fort Smith, Arkansas, Caitlyn and Cameron of 
Houston, Ella and Ben of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, and Hannah and Garret of 
Longview. Cousin Ben M. Simms of Amarillo, and his children, Sherry, Tim, Tom and 
Terri-Nan; and cousin B. Saunders "Buddy" Brooks and family of Louisville, Colorado, 
also survive her. Visitation will be from 6-8 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2006, at Rader 
Funeral Home. Following a private interment, a memorial service celebrating her life 
will be held Tuesday, April 4, at 11 a.m., at First United Methodist Church, 400 N. 
Fredonia. The Rev. David Lindwall and the Rev. Pat Sparks, FUMC Longview, and the 
Rev. Dr. William Ingersoll, First Presbyterian, Kilgore, will preside. In lieu of 
flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her name to the Longview 
Symphony League, First United Methodist Church Longview, or Greater Hospice of Texas. 
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com.

Published in the Longview News-Journal on 4/2/2006.