Joan Mullins Walraven, age 81, of Sugar Valley, departed this worldly life on January 11,2018 surrounded by her loving family and friends. She was born September 29, 1936 to the late Clyde Audley "Moon" Mullins and Nora (Thomas) Mullins. Joan graduated from Sugar Valley High School in 1955 and was a great athlete and avid sports lover. She recently celebrated her 63rd wedding anniversary with the love of her life, Jimmy "Mandy" Walraven on January 8, 2018.

She is survived by her husband Jim Walraven of Sugar Valley; her daughter Janis and her husband Alan Cleveland; her son Jeff Walraven; her daughter Jennifer Walraven; her daughter Joli Walraven. She was blessed with several grandchildren and great grandchildren and is survived by them as well, grandson Chris Walraven, granddaughter Charlotte Walraven and her son Lucas, granddaughter Rachel Walraven, granddaughter Cynthia Farmer and her husband Michael and their children Libby, Ashley, Gavin and Zoe, granddaughter Crystal Reece, granddaughter Taylor Crump and her husband Craig and their children Tara and Zeke, grandson Jake Ross and his partner Kelsey and daughter Riley, and grandson Gabe Ross. She is also survived by her brother Tommy Mullins, her sister Marie Cantrell, her sister Amy and her husband Jerry Bramlett, and several beloved nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents Audley and Nora Mullins, her sister in law Barbara Mullins and brother in law Tony Cantrell.

Joan spent her entire life helping others in need and taking care of her family and friends. She was a beautiful soul that gave freely to everyone she knew in need. There were countless children she has helped through the years and she was an avid supporter of sports, especially basketball at Gordon Central High School. She didn't miss over a handful of games from the time Gordon Central began. She quietly gave money, time and resources helping many athletes at the school and never tired of being their biggest cheerleader. She was a dedicated member of Sugar Valley First United Methodist Church and lived her faith fully. She believed and practiced being a good steward and she believed in pay it forward. She never did anything for anyone looking for payback. She was the most selfless and loving person her family knew.

Her services will be held at The Calhoun Chapel of Ponders Funeral Home on Saturday, January 13, 2018 at2 PM, and the viewing will be from 12-2PM. The service will be officiated by Rev David Ray. Pall Bearers will be grandsons Chris Walraven, Jake Ross and Gabe Ross, and nephews Nathan Cantrell, Justin Bramlett ,Brad Bramlett, Caleb Bramlett ,Lewis Bramlett, Steve Mullins and Mike Mullins. She will be laid to rest at the Sugar Valley First United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Her family is asking that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to the Cemetery fund for Sugar Valley First United Methodist Church. The address to send that to is: Sugar Valley Cemetery Fund, INC., 177 Walraven Road ,Sugar Valley, GA 30746.

Her family wishes to thank family members, her church families, her friends, community members, Homespun Hospice, and everyone who came to visit, sent words of love and prayers and who continued to lift them up during this trying time. Please know that she loved and appreciated you all and the amount of love that has been sent to her family is a testament to the woman herself. It is all greatly appreciated. Thank you all so much.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.pondersfuneralhome.com

Arrangements by locally owned Calhoun Chapel of Ponders Funeral Home, 675 Jolley Road, Calhoun, GA. 706-625-7577.