Janet Mullinix

Janet Kelly Mullinix of Epworth, Georgia died Thursday, August 15, 2024. Mrs. Mullinix was predeceased by her husband, John Edwin Mullinix and was the daughter of Kathrine McCrory and James Andrew Kelly. Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, as a young person, she was a member of the Gordon Street Baptist Church and played in the West End Elementary Band. She was a graduate of Brown High School and attended Georgia State College for Women, graduating from the University of Georgia in music and in education. For thirty years, Mrs.Mullinix, “Janet,” taught primarily second and third grades in the Atlanta Public Schools, choosing to teach in the most underprivileged neighborhood schools. An outstanding and dedicated teacher, she was determined that no child would leave her classroom without knowing how to read and do math. She said, “With those skills, my students will always be able to find jobs and be positive assets in the community.” She and John fell in love with the North Georgia Mountains when they bought a cabin outside of Blue Ridge. After she retired, they moved into their home in Epworth where Janet created a garden overflowing with different kinds of flowers. She became obsessed with the beauty of day lilies and began an extensive collection which led to her opening her garden to the public and to the sale of day lilies. She worked doggedly as family genealogist for years and has traced different family lines from Europe to the United States. She and John investigated courthouse and library records, and cemeteries. They traveled to meet people who were once strangers but turned out to be relatives. She spoke of all relatives as if they were alive, making it difficult for us to know for sure if she was speaking of the living or the dead. A gifted pianist, Janet played church hymns, popular songs, works from Broadway musicals, and classical music with great skill and much joy. Her greatest supporter in all of her amazing endeavors, including her near obsession with reading, was her husband John. Surviving are her brother, James Richard Kelly, three nieces: Lisa Ross, Elizabeth Kelly, and Kate Labadorf and their families; cousins Don Reynolds, Bruce McCrory, and Scott McCrory and their families; the children and their families of Hank Reynolds, Mark McCrory, Kathy Hardin; the children and grandchildren of Manon and Mildred Kelly. Donations may be made to Humane Society Adoption Center of Blue Ridge: 171 Mineral Springs Rd., Blue Ridge, GA 30513. A service in remembrance of Janet Kelly Mullinix will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 24, 2024, at Cross Roads Church, 16144 GA-59, Carnesville, GA 30521. A social luncheon will be held following the service.