Essie Marie Mullins, age 88 of Huber Heights, passed away on Monday, January 13, 2025 at home surrounded by her family. She was born in Berger, Kentucky on October 23, 1936 the daughter of Taylor Russell & Lela Mae (Stacey) Smith. She was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #3283 Ladies Auxiliary. She loved to shop at thrift stores and watch Western and Army movies. She was a great cook and loved to fix food for her family. She enjoyed Country Music and sang Rose Colored Glasses with John Conlee at the Grand Old Opry. She was a loving and caring and knew no strangers. She had a smile that shined so bright, you could see it thru her eyes and it lit up the room. Her hugs were the BEST! In her arms you felt safe and welcomed, just like when you walked in her house.

She is survived by her children Michael David (Karen) Mullins, Theresa Diane Mullins, Steven Randall (Lisa) Mullins, Rhonda Joyce (WIllie) Trammell and Crystal Gail Mullins; grandchildren Jessica Mullins, Jacob (Mandi) Mullins, Rickey Mullins, Alicia Mullins, Jennifer Mullins, Antonie Garcia, Anthony (Kaitlyn) Walker, Jeremy Wells, Emily Berry and Evan Berry; 20 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; siblings Addie Daphine Fritz, Deloris Ann Poling, Clodine Bonar and Marcella Hagar; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 54 years Jesse J. Mullins in 2008; grandson Jesse Taylor Mullins; and siblings Dorothy Smith, William Chester Smith, Ada Kate West, James Edward Smith, Ralph Felix Smith, and Claude Douglas Smith.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, January 17, 2025 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the ZERKLE FUNERAL HOME, 11900 N. Dixie Dr., Tipp City, Ohio 45371. A funeral service will be held on Friday at 12:00 pm at the funeral home with John Seagraves officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hills Memorial Gardens, Tipp City. Condolences may be sent to the family through this online guestbook.