Susan Mullen

Susan Leslie Mullen (née Smith), known as Emma to her grandchildren, passed away on Tuesday the 15th of June 2021, in the arms of her husband of nearly five decades and the love of her life, John Daniel “Danny” Mullen.  Susan was a few days shy of her 70th birthday.  A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and teacher, Susan was born in Champaign, Illinois to Irene and Warren Smith on the 26th of June 1951.  She grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma and graduated from Bishop Kelly High School. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education and earned a second master’s degree from Abilene Christian University.  Susan lived in Abilene and Houston for most of her adult life.

Susan's faith in Christ was her foundation, and being a grandmother was her passion. In 2005, Susan joined Chapelwood United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Fellowship Class Sunday school.  She was also a member of the Houston Junior Forum, Lady Washington Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Pi Beta Phi Alumni Association, Junior League Sustainers, Salvation Army Auxiliary, and Pi Beta Phi’s Houston Bible Study. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren. Susan was known for her encouraging attitude and her love for all children and animals. Susan loved a party and was well known for her excellent hospitality.  She made the most of her life by focusing much of her energy and love on her children and grandchildren.

Susan is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her devoted husband of forty-eight years, Danny Mullen; daughter Kristen Leslie Mullen McMackin, her husband Brian William McMackin Sr. and grandchildren Will, Lauren and Jay McMackin of Houston; daughter Leslie Mullen Odom, her husband Mark Duncan Odom and their sons Charlie and Harris Odom of Austin; her son John Daniel “Jay” Mullen III of Houston; her sister Sandra Leslie Mullins, her husband Paul Wesley Mullins and her brother Spencer Alan Smith all of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Her family would also like to thank her caregiver and great friend of 15 years, Yolin Castellanos.

A memorial service is to be conducted at ten o’clock in the morning on Thursday the 24th of June, in the Sanctuary at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street,  Houston, TX 77024.  Immediately following the service, guests are invited to greet the family during a reception to be held at The Forest Club, 9950 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77024.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in Susan’s honor be directed to Cancer Fighters of Houston, MD Anderson Cancer Center or Dell Children’s Hospital.