On Saturday, December 3rd, 2022, beloved husband and father Thomas "Tom" Lafayette Mullenix left this world for the next one.

Born September 6th, 1941, Tom was the only child of Walter Glenn Mullenix of Hart County and Helen Palmer Mullenix of Abbeville, SC. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carolyn Nunnelley Mullenix, his son Andrew Glenn Mullenix, his daughter Mary Emily Mullenix and many cousins. His father's extended family were founding members of Hart County and of the Liberty Hill Methodist Church.

After graduating from Berry College in Rome, Georgia, Tom was Chief Ranger with the Corps of Engineers at Lake Lanier. In 1969, he returned home to work for the Hart County Department of Family and Children Services and care for his parents. He was Hart County DFCS Director from 1981 until his retirement in October 2008.

A baseball pitcher in college, Tom wanted to play professionally but was sidelined with an injury. He was a passionate Pittsburgh Pirates and Georgia Bulldog fan who shared boisterous game days with his daughter, Emily.

He had many varied interests and hobbies and was an avid reader and learner who loved history, religion and philosophy. In retirement, he became a Master Gardener and he always loved cultivating his vegetable and flower gardens. An avid birdwatcher, Tom felt most at home in nature and surrounded by the trees and sky. He loved the rain and rainy days brought him joy. He never lost his sense of wonder at all the beauty and magic in the world and was a gentle friend to all of God's creatures. Tom was a lifelong member of Liberty Hill United Methodist Church where he served as a delegate to the annual conference and a Sunday school teacher.

Tom dearly loved his job and co-workers and worked tirelessly with them to meet the needs of his community. He wanted to leave his corner of the world a little better than he found it and he did just that.

The family will receive friends Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell. Other times the family will be at the home.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Mr. Tom Mullenix will be Saturday, December17, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the Chapel of the Strickland Funeral Home of Hartwell with Rev. Winfred Pitts officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Liberty Hill United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 754, Hartwell GA 30643.

The Strickland Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Hartwell is in charge of all arrangements.