Trula Ann Whatley-Mullins

Trula Ann Whatley-Mullins, loving and devoted mother and grandmother, passed away Feb. 2, 2022 in Durant, Okla. She was born on May 25, 1950 in Hugo, Okla., to Todd Whatley and Tish (Duckworth) Whatley.

A strong-willed, passionate and outgoing woman, Trula was known by all for her love of rodeo and the western lifestyle. If you were a friend of Trula’s, you were a friend for life. There was never any questioning where she stood on a subject.

Trula grew up in Hugo, Okla., on her family ranch. Her dad, Todd Whatley, a multiple time RCA World Champion, was her hero. Growing up on the rodeo road with her dad was what she loved most. When she wasn’t able to go on the road, she stayed at home with ranch manager, family friend and future Marlboro Man, Turk Robinson. Turk was like a brother to her, she loved him dearly, looking up to him just as she did her dad. Though she was a “Daddy’s Girl,” she took after her mother Tish, a former model for Neiman Marcus, when it came to her taste in clothing, makeup and all things pretty. There was no denying she liked to stand out from the crowd and that her favorite color was red.

Following in her dad’s footsteps, Trula hit the rodeo circuit as soon as she could. Traveling to rodeos across the country. Competing in barrel racing was one of the most favorite times of her life. However, carrying the colors (Flags) with her best friend Jamie Shoulders at her dad, Jim’s rodeos, was probably her most cherished memory. She made a lifetime of memories and friends on the rodeo road.

In 1967 Trula married Richard Mullins. Seventeen years after their marriage, they finally had a daughter, Torrie, their only child. Trula’s love for her daughter was evident from the moment Torrie was born. Trula began hauling her to rodeos almost as soon as Torrie could sit on a horse. Even though Trula was known to say “My daughter will never rodeo; she’s going to dance on her toes,” that became a running joke, as Torrie shared the same love for horses as her mother –– and that was all it took for Trula to hit the rodeo road again. Trula loved barrel racing and loved to talk about it with anyone who would listen. She saw to it that her daughter had good horses and was always prepared. She may be best known for her loud coaching/cheering of her daughter that could be heard from a mile away all while running down the alleyway right behind Torrie, as she took off for her barrel racing or pole bending runs.

Trula was also very proud of her son-in-law, Cole Edge and all of his rodeo accomplishments. She was so happy that Torrie had married a “bulldogger” as that was one of her daddy’s best and favorite events. Her greatest joy in life; however, came when her twin granddaughters: Hadley Lynn Edge and London Rose Edge were born. She loved them fiercely and was already talking about the future rodeo fun they were going to have. Her granddaughters were what kept Trula’s spirits up when her health began to decline.

Trula will forever be remembered for her strong-willed nature, her passion for rodeo and the western lifestyle, but most importantly for her love of her family. This is not a goodbye, this is a see ya soon, cowgirl!

Trula is preceded in death by her parents: Todd Whatley and Tish Price; maternal grandparents: the Rev. William and Francis Duckworth and fraternal grandparents: Hardy and Bessie Whatley.

Trula is survived by her daughter, Torrie and husband, Cole Edge of Durant; granddaughters: Hadley Lynn Edge and London Rose Edge of Durant; bonus brother, Turk Robinson and wife, Verna Robinson of Hugo, as well as many other relatives and friends.

Funeral services for Trula Ann Mullins were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2022 at the First Baptist Church in Hugo, with burial following at the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Hugo, under the direction of Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home.

Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book or send private condolences to the family at www.praterlampton.com.