Norris N. Mullis

Norris Nathanial Mullis, born on September 19, 1930, in Fort Valley, Georgia passed into the hands of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the morning of September 12, 2024, at the age of 93. He was the son of the late Eddie Anderson Mullis and DollyAnna (Cannon) Mullis; and stepmother Maude Mullis. He was preceded in death by his wife Tommie Guess Mullis; his brothers, Marion Prentice Mullis and John Edward Mullis; and son-in-law Jon Darrell Poole. He is survived by his children, Mitch (Jean) Mullis, Colbert, Ga.; Mitzi Mullis Poole, Bogart, Ga.; Marisa (Jody) Mullis Reynolds, Bogart, Ga.; and Mark (Melissa) Mullis, Commerce, Ga. Also surviving are thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Norris grew up in Fort Valley, Georgia where he regularly worked at the family restaurant, Five Points Café. Growing up in Peach County, he spent many summers packing peaches. As a teenager, he worked for Blue Bird Body Company, a manufacturer of school buses. He was a competitive star athlete excelling in football, basketball, track, and field.

Following his high school graduation, Norris was awarded a football scholarship and spent two years at Georgia Military College. He joined the ROTC and continued in that program at the University of South Carolina, where he earned a B.A. in Business, played football, and was named an All-American. At the time of his graduation, he had risen to First Lieutenant in the Air Force and spent time in Japan during the Korean War as a military police officer and “playing football.”

At the University of Georgia, Norris earned an LLB degree but chose not to practice law. Instead, he became an insurance claims litigation specialist, working throughout his career for Cotton States Insurance. When he and Tommie moved to Athens in 1974, he opened a district claims office for Cotton States. Later in his career, he moved to Tifton, Georgia, and worked out of the Albany district office. For the last three years of his career, he worked in the Cotton States Home office in Atlanta. He retired in 1995.

Following his retirement, Norris and Tommie built a house in Shoal Creek Farm in Athens, Georgia. They also renovated a cottage at Lake Hartwell for family weekend getaways and functions. Eventually, they moved to Lake Hartwell full-time. After living at the lake for over six years, they returned to Athens.

Norris was a dedicated and active member of Milledge Avenue Baptist Church, serving as a deacon, Sunday School class member, and participating in various committees. In 1981, he organized a successful visitation program. For many years, he warmly welcomed members as they entered the sanctuary, offering them a Halls cherry cough drop and a friendly handshake in the church foyer. Norris has been actively involved with the Bread Burners (The Spaghetti Guys) and has enjoyed participating in the men’s cake bake and auction. For decades, Norris has been a faithful servant to the church community.

Beyond his successful career and community service accomplishments, Norris's greatest passion was his family. He and his wife, Tommie, were married for sixty-one years and were blessed with four children. The family, including their spouses, thirteen grandchildren and spouses, and six great-grandchildren, is quite large. Throughout the years, Norris and Tommie established many traditions that they hoped would be passed down to future generations. Some of these traditions included family weekends at Lake Hartwell on July 4th, gift-giving events featuring a "special Pink Posy cheer", 16th birthday "roasts", and surprise Christmas gifts. Norris cherished daily FaceTime sessions with his family to discuss the Braves, Georgia Football, and other sporting events. Throughout his life, Norris has made a difference and impact in the lives of many people.

Visitation with the family will take place at Lord & Stephens East on Sunday, September 15 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. A celebration service is planned at Milledge Avenue Baptist Church for October 6, 2024, at 4:00 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the following: Milledge Avenue Baptist Church, 1690 S Milledge Ave, Athens, Georgia 30605 or to Connect Ministries, 1431 Capital Ave, Ste 123, Watkinsville, Georgia 30677, connect-ministries.com.