Barber Cecil Mullins: Serving Poplar Bluff for six decades

Mullins proudly displays the t-shirt his friends and co-workers Aaron Groves and Shawn Hager had printed, saying they are all big John Wayne fans.

DAR/Misty DeJournett

By MISTY DeJOURNETT

Staff Writer

For six decades Barber Cecil Mullins has been cutting hair for the town of Poplar Bluff.

When asked what inspired his decision to become a barber, Mullins replied with a smile, “Well, I knew I was needing to work, so I just decided I’d be a barber.”

Mullins remembered the little town of Summersville he grew up in.

Barber Cecil Mullins celebrated 60 years of service recently with co-workers, cake and John Wayne-inspired t-shirts.

DAR/Misty DeJournett

“I could go to town on Saturday and there was a little shop just full of people and I would say to myself, ‘Oh Grand is making the money,” said Mullins. “He is making the money.”

That is where Mullins’ dream of becoming a barber was born.

Meanwhile, Larry Slinkard and Marvin Moore were opening L&M Barber Shop on Vine Street in Poplar Bluff in 1961. The shop where Mullins would eventually begin his 60-year career in April 1965.

Mullins said he attended Moler Barber School in St. Louis, in 1962.

“I was in barber school when Kennedy set up the Cuban blockade,” remembered Mullins.

He said after graduating from barber school he came to Poplar Bluff with a friend from school and went to work.

“And I just never left,” said Mullins, who officially began his career in 1963 at the Broadway Barber Shop on South Broadway. “I’m a country boy and the big city didn’t appeal to me at all, so when I got out of barber school I was ready to leave.”

Mullins worked at the shop on South Broadway for a short time before jumping at the opportunity to be a part of the L&M team when a spot came open.

Mullins said he took ownership of the L&M Barbershop business in June 1982 and continued service to area residents at the Vine Street location for almost 50 years before moving to the current location on North Westwood Boulevard.

Cecil Mullins shows off the celebratory 60th-anniversary cake at L&M barbershop.

DAR/Misty DeJournett

“When it rained outside, it rained inside too, so we had to move, but it’s been a good move,” said Mullins of the new location. “I was old enough then I could have retired, but I just wasn’t ready.”

During his life and career, Mullins met and married Dorothy Cassinger and together they raised Dorothy’s son David Morgan.

“We’ve had a good life,” said Mullins. “Both of us worked when we were younger. It took both of us to earn a living, but I finally got my house paid for and she retired.”

Unfortunately, Dorothy suffered a stroke in recent years, which took her ability to speak, but Mullins said he has help at the shop and has been able to slow down to take care of her.

“We are blessed. We have a lot of friends and family and people who tell us if there is anything we need,” said Mullins, “and that does feel good. I appreciate every one of them.”

The couple still resides in Poplar Bluff.

When asked if he would ever retire, Mullins replied with a grin, “I hadn’t thought about it. I’m only 81. I’m not old, I’ve just been here a long time.”