Sharon Sue Reid Mullino

Sharon Sue Reid Mullino, 82, passed away Monday, October 31, 2016. She was born at her home in the Foster Community southeast of Rochester September 8, 1934, the oldest child of William Manford and Claudia Faye Hewitt Reid. She was a member of Rochester First Baptist Church.
Sharon attended school at Rochester, graduating in 1952. As a student Sharon participated in One Act Plays, the Steer Band, and was a majorette. The RHS Class of 1952 stayed very close in all the years following high school. Sharon helped organize many of their reunions.
Sharon enrolled in Hardin Simmons College in the spring of 1953, rooming with Rochester classmate Carolyn Smith Baugh. While at Hardin Simmons she performed in a college play and was a member of the Cowgirl Band. When the tornado hit Rochester in March 1953, they had no communication from Rochester for some time and feared that their hometown had been destroyed. When the cotton crop failed due to the drought in the 1950s, Sharon returned to Rochester to work in Smith Drug Store.
Sharon married George Alvis Mullino August 9, 1953 at Rochester. They made their living ranching and farming, operated the Rochester Cotton Warehouse for forty years and were involved in other ventures, as well. Sharon and George were partners in every sense of the word, she being his right hand in every work and civic endeavor—and there were many. They raised four children and were faithful supporters of Rochester schools and community. Sharon took on leadership roles in Haskell County, including 33 years as Haskell County Democratic Chairman. She was elected to this role at a time when women were very much in the minority. In this endeavor she was very much involved with county and state-wide politics during the 1980s, 1990s and into the new millennium. She travelled extensively to conventions and meetings, being a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1988. In recent years, Texas may have turned "red", but to this day you can spot Sharon's pickup by its "Texas Democrat" bumper sticker.
Beloved by many and respected by all who knew her for her work ethic, her community spirit, creativity and compassionate nature, she was the image of community leadership. Whatever was going on in Rochester for most of her adult life, she was in the center of it. One of her favorite things was the Rochester Homecoming Celebrations. In September, she was honored by the Homecoming Association for her years of dedication. Sharon was a member of the Rochester Woman's Club, was a Girl Scout leader, Rochester Booster Club member, Rochester and Haskell County 4-H leader. Her family received the Texas Land Heritage Award in 2007 for land farmed by the same family for 100 years. She was a member of the Texas Hereford Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association and was a past Texas Junior Hereford Association sponsor. She was designated a Yellow Rose of Texas by Governor Rick Perry. Her years of service to Rochester First Baptist church spanned several decades, teaching children's Sunday School, Bible School and supporting many church activities. She loved supporting the Rochester One-Act Play casts, donating time, props and direction, and she loved watching her children and grandchildren show their livestock projects.
Sharon was predeceased by her husband, George Alvis Mullino, her parents William Manford and Claudia Faye Hewitt Reid, one brother, James Leonard Reid and sister-in-law Anita Louise Mullino Murray. She is survived by her four children, George Alvis (Buddy) Mullino, Jr. and Joel Harris, Susan Azlee Mullino Turner and husband Samuel Cole Turner, Jr., Reida Vesta Mullino Penman and husband Bill, Faye Ermine Mullino Urich and husband Ricky; grandchildren Magan Ann Mullino Schain and husband Adam, Mary Belle Turner, Amy Suzanne Turner Pennington and husband Karl, Teddye Sue Harris Myers and husband Tres, Stewart George Urich and Lexi, Aaron Clay Urich and wife Kaitlin, Brandon Urich and wife Sara, Joni Manske and husband Brian, Jodi Andress and Juli Penman; great-grandchildren Max Lon Mullino Schain, Asher George Mullino Schain, Emily Fay Mullino Schain, Clara Drew Mullino Schain, Myka Blayne Myers, Leann, Lenzie and Leslie Manske, Adam, Allie and Abby Andress, Lillian and William Penman, Marli Osborne and Casey Urich. She is also survived by one brother, William Nicholas Reid and Eli Wiley, sisters Lilly Diane Reid Wall and husband Andy, Barbara Kay Reid Weekley and husband Glen and sisters-in-law Marsha Reid and Virginia Blanche Mullino Leflar and husband, Bill; numerous nieces and nephews and a host of friends.
Services will be held Thursday, November 3 at 2:00pm at Rochester First Baptist Church with burial following in Rochester Cementary under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Homes.
Memorials may be made to the Rochester First Baptist Church and the National Kidney Foundation.