Letha Mullins Obituary

Letha Mae Mullins

October 30, 2025

KINGSPORT - Letha Mae Mullins, age 91, of Kingsport, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Born in Gate City, Virginia, to Horrie and Mary Belle (Tate) Mullins, Letha Mae Mullins was raised in Kingsport, Tennessee. After graduating from Lynn View High School (1953), Letha completed her undergraduate degree at Mars Hill College and a master's degree in education at Wake Forest University.

An adventurous and curious sort, Letha employed various skill sets throughout her professional career. Having taught eighth graders at Bell Ridge Elementary in Lynn Garden, TN, Letha accepted education positions in Anchorage, Alaska, and Maine. Along the way, she taught adult Eskimos and other Native Americans. In 1971, Letha ultimately left her teaching career to take an administrative position with International Telephone & Telegraph (ITT) in Anchorage.

While in Alaska, Letha experienced a couple of seismic events. Not only did she survive the 1964 Great Alaska Earthquake (magnitude 9.2-9.3!), but she also met her future husband, Wallace Lee (Wally) Coleman, at ITT where both were employed. Having married in 1975, the couple moved to Bend, Oregon, but subsequently divorced in 1983. Following short stays in Maine and Pennsylvania, Letha returned to Alaska and eventually retired from SOhio (BP). She settled permanently back in Kingsport, Tennessee, where she stayed busy teaching English as a Second Language and pursuing activities that interested her, including photography.

Preceded in death by her parents; sisters (Lorene Snapp, Freda Mullins, Cleo Cleek, and Carolyn Leftwich); and brothers (Walter, Emory, and Wayne Mullins), Letha is survived by her sister June Begley of Kingsport and brother Gene (and Debra) Mullins of Seattle. She is also survived by a multitude of cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A graveside committal service will take place at East Lawn Memorial Park (4997 Memorial Blvd, Kingsport, TN 37664) on Thursday, November 6th at 1:00 PM. Rev. Rick Meade of Lynn Garden Baptist Church will officiate.

Memorial contributions to the Kingsport Public Library or a charity of choice are welcome and appreciated.

A special thank you to the Asbury Place at Steadman Hills staff for the care and comfort that was provided to Letha in her final years.

East Lawn Funeral Home is honored to care for Letha Mullins and her family at this time.