Nancy Irene Mullenix Littleton

Nancy Irene Mullenix Littleton, 79, of Kingsport, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, May 5, 2010, at her residence. She was born on March 25, 1931, and was a 1947 graduate of Sullivan High School. She was a homemaker most of her life, first caring for her brothers while her mother, Letha Sue Mooney Mullenix, was operating the Shipley and Mullenix Grocery in Blair's Gap community. This experience served her well when she met her husband, Ralph Clyde Littleton. Irene helped Ralph to raise five sons and helped with many grandchildren over the years.

Irene was a member of Solomon's Temple Baptist Church for 65 years and helped serve many Sunday dinners at home or at Mammaw Sue's house. She enjoyed working in her flowers and quilting, and always had lots of flowers and quilts to show and give away, a skill learned from Mammaw Sue. She also learned the art of quilting from her mother.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Hobert 1944 and Letha Sue 1986 Mullenix, of Kingsport; and brothers, Orlen Mullenix, Kenneth Mullenix, and Paul Mullenix.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Ralph Littleton, of the home; sons and their spouses, Gary and Usley, Donald and Sharon, Robert and Angela, Wayne and Laura, all of Kingsport, and Wade and Tina, of Bulls Gap; grandchildren, Seth and wife, Cara, Julie and husband, Rodney Lucas, Joshua, Rachel, and Rebekah, Daniel, Lance, Makayla and Nathaniel; great-grandsons, Wyatt and Max; brothers and spouses, Charles and Martha Sue Mullenix, of Kingsport, C. J. and Loraine Mullenix of Johnson City, and Marvin "Babe" and Darlene Mullenix of Indianapolis, IN; many nieces and nephews and extended family and friends.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday at Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes, Fall Branch.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at Solomons Temple Missionary Baptist Church, with Pastor Truman Ferguson and Minister Emory Clinton Ramey officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Solomons Temple Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund; c/o Beverly Light, 790 Murrell Road, Kingsport, TN, 37660.