ROGER WILLIAM MULLINS SR.
Roger William Mullins Sr. was born on Jan. 15, 1956, in Axton, Virginia, the oldest of six children born to the late Robert Lee and Ethel Hodge Mullins. On Monday, June 17, 2019, Roger departed this life and went home to be with the Lord.
Roger was educated in the public schools of Martinsville, Virginia. He graduated from Morris College with a Bachelor of Science in organizational management, Leslie University with a Master of Education in computer information systems, Cambridge College with an Education Specialist Degree and Sonship School of the Firstborn. During his college years, Roger became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. Roger accepted Christ at an early age. Upon entering the military, Roger continued to grow spiritually and became a deacon in the New Birth COGIC, under the leadership of Superintendent Ronald Jones. In 2016, he founded Anchored Hope Community Church in Sumter. On June 4, 2017, Roger was consecrated and affirmed to the Episcopal office of bishop. Due to health issues, Bishop Mullins retired as presiding bishop of Anchored Hope Community Church in the fall of 2018, therefore joining Victory Church, where he served faithfully, until his death.
During his lifetime, Roger was employed in many capacities. He served as a soldier in the United States Army for 14 years, before being medically discharged, and later became an educator in the Sumter County School System.
Roger was united in marriage to the love of his life, Bernice Heyward, on Dec. 18, 1977, and to this loving union three children were born. Roger's love for Bernice can be summed up in one word: limitless.
Roger leaves to cherish his memory: a loving and devoted wife, Bernice Mullins; three children, Renata Mullins, Roger "JT" Mullins and Ricardo "BJ" Mullins, all of Sumter; six grandchildren, Darrell, Quincy, Xavier, Zaria, Ayanna and Heron, all of Sumter; one sister, Andrea Gay Millner of Axton; three brothers, Wesley Randall (Felicia) Mullins of Martinsville, Robert Scott Mullins of Axton and Dr. Victor Clark (Nancy) Mullins of Ellicott City, Maryland; a special daughter, Dr. Jeryl Horton Pittman of Atlanta; a special sister-in-law, Martha Heyward Wilson of Wedgefield; six sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; and a host of nieces, nephews, godchildren, other relatives, friends and students.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee and Ethel Hodge Mullins; a sister, Sandra Kay Mullins; two sisters-in-law; and two brothers-in-law.
Public viewing will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. today at Job's Mortuary.
Bishop Mullins will be placed in the gymnasium at 10 a.m. on Saturday for viewing until the hour of service.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the Sumter High School Gymnasium, 2580 McCrays Mill Road, Sumter, SC 29154 with Dr. Joann P. Murrill, eulogist, and Minister Terrance Murrill presiding. Interment will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at the home, 2381 Orvis St., Sumter, SC 29154.
Job's Mortuary Inc., 312 S. Main St., Sumter, is in charge of arrangements.
Online memorials may be sent to the family at jobsmortuary@sc.rr.com or visit us on the web at www.jobsmortuary.net.