Obituary of Arlena Sue Mullins

Arlena Sue Tackett Mullins, affectionately known to all as Sue, was a radiant beacon of love and joy who illuminated the lives of everyone she touched. Born on July 30, 1947 to Arland (Arlen) Tackett and Nell Ruth Charles, both who preceded her in death, in the small town of Burdine, KY. Sue embarked on a journey that would see her spread warmth and kindness everywhere she went. On March 28, 2025, at the age of 77, Sue passed away in Bay City, MI, due to a pulmonary embolism, but her legacy of love and vivacity endures. Sue's life was a testament to the power of dedication and passion. After graduating from Jenkins, KY High School in 1965, she embarked on a career that showcased her incredible work ethic and charismatic personality. As a Tupperware Sales Manager, she not only earned a company-supplied car but helped countless others achieve their dreams of home ownership. Her later years were spent nourishing the bodies and souls of students as a Cook Manager at Van Buren Public Schools, where her culinary skills were only matched by her nurturing spirit. Beyond her professional accolades, Sue was a woman of many interests and talents. In her early adulthood, she reveled in the camaraderie and excitement of bowling with friends and her beloved husband, Willard Bruce Mullins. Her passion for sports was evident in her dedication as a Wrestlerette Manager at Romulus, MI High School, and her unwavering support for UK basketball, Michigan basketball and football, and, most of all, Michigan State basketball. Sue's enthusiasm for NASCAR racing could only be matched by the thrill she found in the pages of a good Romance or Amish novel. Sue's love for life's simple pleasures was infectious. She cherished the beauty of flowers in the summer, often admiring them from her outdoor swing. Her winters were joyously spent in Okeechobee, FL, close to her brother, where she continued to make memories that would last a lifetime. Yet, it was her family that truly captured Sue's heart. Her husband, daughters Connie Sue Alderson and Karen Ann Mullins (Nick Purcell), grandchildren- Amanda (Jason), Justin, Kelsey, Anthony, and Lena.  Great-grandchildren- Paige (Cameron), Nevaeh, Abigail, Audrianna, Jace, Connor,- and great-great-grandchildren Nora, and Kira were the center of her world. Each moment spent with them was a treasure she held dear. Sue's brother, Larry Wayne Tackett (Linda), nieces Krista Mary Murray and Joyl Ruth Baker, along with numerous in-laws and extended family members, all felt the magnitude of her love and will carry her spirit forward. She was a pillar of strength, a fountain of wisdom, and above all, the embodiment of love. In reflecting on Sue's life, one cannot help but be inspired by her loving, thoughtful, and spirited nature. She was a woman who faced life's challenges with grace and emerged with an even stronger resolve to spread happiness. Her influence extended far beyond her immediate circle, touching the lives of friends, colleagues, and anyone fortunate enough to cross her path. Let us honor Sue's memory not with sorrow but with a celebration of the extraordinary life she led. Her story is a powerful reminder that the legacy we leave is not measured in material possessions but in the love we share and the lives we touch. Sue's life was a beautiful journey of joy, connection, and unwavering positivity. She was a motivational force, urging us all to cherish every moment, embrace our passions, and above all, to love deeply and without reservation. As we bid farewell to Arlena Sue Tackett Mullins, let us do so with the knowledge that her spirit lives on in each act of kindness we perform and every moment of joy we share. Her life was a brilliant example of how to live fully, love generously, and leave a mark on the world that is as indelible as it is luminous. Sue's journey may have concluded, but the path she blazed continues to inspire and guide us all.      

No service is planned at this time. A Celebration of life will follow in both Michigan & Kentucky, with location and date to follow.  To sign online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com  Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.