Paula Williams

Paula Ann McDaniel Williams was born at Alexander Hospital in Terrell, Texas on September 29, 1939 to S.T. McDaniel and Vada Mary Robertson McDaniel, who both preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her beloved husband of 57 and ½ years, Richard A. Williams, precious grandchild, Stormie Cheri Davies, and younger brother Sammy Thomas McDaniel. Paula Ann passed away peacefully with her children by her side on March 18, 2024, in Gun Barrel City, Texas. Paula Ann grew up mostly in Terrell. She and her family attended First Baptist Church in Terrell where she accepted Christ as her savior at the age of 12. She attended school in Terrell from primary through 10th grade before the family moved to Duncanville, Texas where she graduated from Duncanville High School in 1958. She was active in several clubs while in school including band, choir, FHA, and she was a majorette her Senior year of high school. She was also selected to be a member of the Texas Women’s University All Girl Clinic Band. After graduation she attended Arlington State College, now known as The University of Texas in Arlington. While living in the Duncanville area, Paula met Richard A. Williams, a member of the United States Air Force, and they were married on October 15, 1961, at her parents’ home in Duncanville. Though she did not travel everywhere with him during his Air Force career, they did live in several different states, including Alabama, where they had their son, David Russell, and Michigan, where they had their daughter, Rebecca Ann. They finally settled in Terrell, Texas to raise their family after Richard’s retirement from the Air Force. During this time Paula Ann worked at the Dallas Public Library and the Terrell State Hospital, before becoming a teacher’s aide in 1979 at Burnett Elementary School in Terrell. She eventually became an attendance secretary at Herman Furlough Jr Middle School. She retired from there in 2009 after 30 years of service. While working at TISD and after her children were grown, she went back to college and earned her Associate’s degree in 1993 from Trinity Valley Community College. Together, Paula and Richard built their family and became great members of the Terrell community. In 2015, they moved to Wills Point, Texas to be closer to their children. They were faithful members of Grace Temple Baptist Church in Terrell for many years, where Paula was a member of the choir and participated in other church activities. In 1987 they moved their church membership to Oak Grove Baptist Church in Elmo, Texas, where they were active in and stayed members of until their death’s. Paula was a tender and precious person. She was full of life and love and she was sure to leave a loving memory with whomever she met along life's journey. Family was always very important to her. Left to carry on Paula's cherished memories are her son, David R. Williams, of Canton, Texas and her daughter, Rebecca Ann Davies and husband Michael of Wills Point, Texas. Also left to carry on Paula's legacy is her granddaughter Bethany Ann Davies of Wills Point, her nephew Ryan McDaniel and her sister-in-law Linda McDaniel both of Georgetown, Texas, along with numerous cousins, other family members, and a host of friends. A visitation is scheduled at Oak Grove Baptist Church on Thursday, March 28, 2024 from 10 - 11 am, and the Funeral Service will begin 11 am. Burial is scheduled for Oakland Memorial Park, Terrell, March 28, 2024 2 pm.

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Paula Williams

September 29, 1939 - March 18, 2024