Carole Livingston Jones Mullis

Carole Livingston Jones Mullis passed on May 18, 2026, surrounded by family after an extended struggle with dementia.

Born October 14, 1942 in Columbia South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Jean Clarice Lever and Robert Hammond Jones. Carole had significant ties to the state of South Carolina as a proud direct descendant of Jeremiah Jones who fought with General Francis Marion ('The Swamp Fox') in the Revolutionary War. Carole graduated from Dreher High School in in 1960 and received her B.A. in Education from the University of South Carolina in 1964 where she was a Gamecock cheerleader and a member of Chi Omega women's Fraternity.

Known for her love of animals, neighbors and friends are familiar with her duck, 'Quack' who was loved by the family dog 'Duchess' and her pet monkey named 'Rosco', who was an adored menace to the neighborhood around her childhood home on South Beltline in Columbia. Her avid love of animals extended past the long line of rescued cats and dogs into rehabbing birds, racoons, snakes, bats, turtles and lizards. She often stopped on the road to 'save' anything furry (or scaly) in distress and on one such occasion came face to face with a Carolina Cougar, which scared both of them and set them running in two different directions!

Carole taught school after USC in the Darlington School district prior to being stationed with her husband James Marvin Mullis Jr, of Lancaster, South Carolina, in Amarillo, Texas. (possibly a location hotter than Columbia). She treasured hosting a Christmas Eve Party for military families stationed away from home during her time as a military spouse a custom she continued when she returned to Columbia for many many years.

Upon returning to South Carolina, Carole became active in the Junior Woman's Club of Columbia and served as President in 1979. Carole was instrumental in the establishment of Palmetto Place, an emergency shelter for abused, abandoned and neglected children, in Columbia which was opened in 1977 by the Junior Woman's Club. Palmetto Place was the only money raising project of the Columbia Junior Woman's Club at the time and was financially primarily supported by the annual Red Stocking Review held at the Dreher Auditorium.

Carole returned to her roots in nature working with South Carolina Parks Recreation and Tourism (PRT) for years first organizing the Annual Governors Conference on Travel and Tourism and later working as the Rural Development Coordinator for PRT. During her tenure, she co-authoring " Beginning a Bed and Breakfast in South Carolina", a publication designed to assist others in pursuing their dreams of hospitality and small-business ownership.

One of Carole's favorite projects with PRT involved the establishment of the South Carolina Artisans Center in Walterboro. The Artisans Center is a non-profit gallery and retail store showcasing the work of over 300 South Carolina artists, focusing on traditional and folk, as well as, contemporary art. Anyone who visited Carole's home knows it was full of local arts and crafts that she truly loved. Each piece reflected her appreciation for beauty, creativity, and the talented artisans in her community.

Carole enjoyed regular "meetings" with her Dreher High School classmates under the guise of "reunion planning"-a tradition that likely brought her class together more often than any other graduating class in Dreher's history. She was also prone to a 'Divas Weekend' with her Carolina Chi Omega sisters all of whom she has missed dearly during her ongoing struggle with dementia.

Carole was predeceased by her sister Beverly Jones Chotvacs. She is survived by her brother Robert (Robin) Hammond Jones (Paulette) ; her three children, James Marvin Mullis III; Pamela Riley Mullis (Andy Hodge) and Ashley Mullis Christensen (Mikkel); a gaggle of grandsons whom she cherished: Bazeel (Baz) Anderson, Jones Anderson, Aidan Mullis, Sebastian Christensen, Oliver Christensen and one spunky Granddaughter Isabella (Izzy) Christensen.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made in Carole's honor to Palmetto Place Children's Shelter, https://www.palmettoplace.org/how-to-help which provides support and safe housing for at-risk youth, or to Pawmetto Lifeline, - https://pawmettolifeline.org/get-involved/donate/ a Midlands no-kill animal shelter dedicated to helping homeless pets find loving homes. These organizations reflect Carole's lifelong compassion for both people and animals.

The family is planning a Celebration of Life that will honor Carole's joyful spirit, generous heart, and enduring love of life.

Family and friends are invited to share their favorite "Carole-isms" and memories while enjoying her beloved "Christmas Eve" food and drinks at 229 Hill Trace Trail, Irmo, South Carolina, on June 27, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Casual summertime attire is suggested for this backyard gathering.