Linda Gale Mullins

Linda Gale Strickland Mullins joined her Lord & Savior on Sunday, January 3, 2021, following a lengthy illness. By her side throughout this time were her daughter, Leslie, and her sister, Shirley. She was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma on May 7, 1944 to Leonard Gale and Vivian (Sockey) Strickland. She was raised in Muskogee where she graduated from Central High School in 1962.

Linda’s two great loves were caring for her family and serving her Lord. As a homemaker she took a great deal of pride in cooking for her family. Her homemade yeast rolls, strawberry pretzel salad, and cookies were always family favorites. When younger, she loved picking up her daughters from school. They would stop by Baker’s Tastee Freeze for a cherry Dr Pepper and then take a drive to talk about the day’s events. She loved all holidays, but especially Christmas. She was crazy about her granddaughter, Alexandra. Her birth only added to the magic and merriment. She loved everything about Christmas. She loved the music, the food, getting together with family and gift giving. The best gift she gave her family though, was her time. As she said at her daughter Caroline’s funeral, “your children do not need designer clothes, they need your time!” It is through time spent together many treasured memories were created.

She also gave her children a love for Christ. She was the model of a Christian wife and mother. Proverbs 31:28 says it best, “Her children will rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, will praise her.” For over 20 years she volunteered in the church nursery at Grandview Baptist Church. Cuddling the sweet babies was a joy to her. For many years, she also prepared and served snacks to the Sunday School and Vacation Bible School children. They affectionally called her the “Cookie Lady”.  Her sweet spirit and kindness lifted those around her.  She was a prayer warrior, praying for those in need. It didn’t matter if she personally knew the individual or not. If they were in need, they were on her prayer list. Her Bible was worn, the pages filled with notes in the margins documenting her walk with Christ. And while she could readily quote scripture, she didn’t have to for others to see Christ in her. Her life was her testimony. She would often tell her daughters, “leave it better than you found it” and that’s exactly what she did with her time on earth.

Linda was preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Robert Mullins; her daughter, Caroline Abbott; her brother, David Strickland; and her parents, Leonard and Vivian Strickland-Wright. She is survived by her daughter, Leslie Diaz and husband Luis; granddaughter, Alexandra “Allie” Diaz; sister, Shirley Wise and husband Mike; brother Jerry Strickland and wife Thelma; step-daughter, Marlene DeGiulio; step-daughter, Bonita Mullins, step-son Curt Mullins and wife, Heidi; numerous nieces and nephews, as well as other extended family members. 

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