Ralph Weatherington Mullinax

Ralph Weatherington Mullinax, age 90, of Buford, died peacefully, surrounded by family on October 27, 2021.  Ralph was born in Forsyth County, Georgia, and was raised in Buford. He began working at an early age and learned carpentry remodeling rental houses for a local real estate investor.

He was drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War. He proudly served in the 8th Army 1433rd Combat Engineers unit. He was trained to operate heavy equipment and his unit maintained airfields and roads. His tour was shortened by three months because he served near enemy lines. After leaving the military, he married his sweetheart, Opal Thornhill, and returned to his work as a trim carpenter. He worked in many of the finer homes in North Atlanta.  In 1962, Ralph opened his own custom cabinet business and worked until his retirement in 1996.  He was creative and could build anything he imagined, from houses, to cabinets, to toys for his beloved grandchildren.  At the age of 87, already struggling with mobility, he built a sunroom onto his house.  

Ralph was an avid gardener of vegetables and flowers.  Every spring many people would comment on the beautiful azaleas in the front yard of his home on Wallace Road.  Ralph also was a diehard Braves fan.  If the Braves were playing, Ralph was watching or listening.  Ralph was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church for over 65 years.  He was ordained a deacon at the church in 1965.  In his later years, he assisted the pastor in weekly pastoral visits. He was known for his commonsense wisdom in church and other matters.

The thing that brought Ralph the most joy in his life was spending time with family. On one occasion, all three grandchildren had baseball or softball games at the same time. Ralph and Opal strategically positioned their chairs between the three playing fields and rotated chairs at regular intervals to watch some of each game. At the end of a visit, especially as his health declined, Ralph would always tell you he loved you.  After his beloved Opal’s passing in 2009, God brought new love to Ralph’s life in 2013, when he married Sara Youngblood.  Ralph and Sara enjoyed breakfast with friends several times a week and occasional trips to Pigeon Forge and Asheville.   

Ralph was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Opal (Thornhill) Mullinax, his parents, Athan and Frances (Bowman) Mullinax, and eleven siblings.  Ralph is survived by his wife, Sara (Youngblood) Mullinax, and his children, Allen Mullinax (Kim Buchanan), Wanda Mullinax Deaton (Jimmy Deaton), and Jeff Mullinax (Lynn Zahner), and grandchildren, Ben Deaton (Gina), Jennifer Fortunato (William), and Hope Mullinax, and five great-grandchildren, Alyssa and Chandler Riser, Norah, Asher, and Margaret Deaton.  Visitation at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, Buford, Saturday, October 30, 2021, from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.  Celebration of Life service, Zion Hill Baptist Church, Buford, Sunday, October 31, 2021, at 2:00 p.m.  Family will receive visitors at 1:00 p.m. at the church. Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel 770-945-6924 Share memories of Ralph at hamiltonmillchapel.com