Julia Carolyn Mullens Papageorge

Julia Carolyn Mullens Papageorge

March 29, 1930 – March 11, 2023

Whether you are someone who spent many years with her or only got to spend a few days, what we all have in common is that we wish for MORE! We wish we had more time with this amazing lady, wife, momma, Nana, friend & “woman after God’s own heart!” No matter who you were, Julia Papageorge made you feel special, and who doesn’t want to spend more time with someone like that!

Julia was born on March 29, 1930, to Ama Nell and Linton Mullens in Heber Springs, Arkansas, where she and her older brother, J.L., spent their early years. She attended Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas, before transferring to the University of Arkansas. And, as fate would have it, it was there she met the love of her life, George Papageorge. Ruggedly handsome and strikingly beautiful, the two of them were like Ken & Barbie, and on November 18, 1951, they began their 57 years of marriage together. It was only a few years later that they were joined on this journey by their two children, John and Carol.

Neither Julia nor George could imagine simply being “onlookers” in life, so they quickly became very active in both their church and community. They spent 38 years at Noel Methodist Church in Shreveport and then moved to Asbury Methodist in Bossier City after George suffered a stroke in 1989. Julia was not about to have someone else care for George, so she kept him at home with much love and care until his death in 2008.

Julia loved life—she loved her family, her many friends, and my goodness, how she loved her God! Music was also very important to Julia, and she was always ready to share her talents at the piano and organ, as well as her singing talent, whenever needed. She and George enjoyed playing bridge, which they were quite good at and also spent many hours on the courts at the Bossier Racket Club playing tennis. Summers were also special times for the Papageorge family, as they looked forward to their week-long vacation with John & Carol, and later with their grandchildren, in Destin, Florida. And oh my, how she adored her grandchildren, doing all the things a sweet Nana does.

When it was finally time for Julia to “move home,” well, no one was any more excited than she was. Why? Because Julia knew she would be joining her husband, George, her son, John, and, of course, her Savior, Jesus, already in heaven waiting for her, and would hear those beautiful words she longed to hear, “Well done, My good and faithful servant….enter into the joy of your Lord!”

Julia is survived by her daughter, Carol Rodgers and husband, Chuck; daughter-in-law, Debbie Papageorge; grandchildren, Matt Papageorge, Morgan Papageorge Blough and husband, Joey, Grace Neill Morgan and husband, Garrett, Cole Papageorge, and Christopher Neill.

A graveside burial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023, at Rose-Neath Cemetery, 5185 Swan Lake Spur, Bossier City, Louisiana.

In lieu of flowers please send memorial gifts to West Texas Rehab Center’s Hospice of the Big Country, 4601 Hartford St, Abilene, TX 79605, or a charity of your choice.