Paula Smith

Paula was born February 12, 1962. She was the only child of Joe and Nelda Smith. She grew up in Hurst, TX and graduated from L.D. Bell High School in 1980.

Paula was adored by her parents, cousins, family, and friends. And she adored all of us!

She had an entire team of close friends that stayed close with her and supported her especially after her stroke twelve years ago.

Paula was so strong and did what she needed to do during an entire year of rehabilitation for her stroke at Pate Rehabilitation in Fort Worth, TX.

During Paula's working years at a Glass Company, Longhorn Steer Association and many years at Allstate, she was a dedicated worker and she appreciated and took pride in her work. She was always engaged with her work and work associates.

Paula has always been an animal lover of all types.

Over the years she had pets of all types, dogs, ducks, rabbits, guinea pigs, and even a tiny frog. She especially had a special place in her heart for special needs dogs. The last years of her life were dedicated to rescuing senior Chihuahuas and supporting the Chihuahua Rescue Society.

Her father Joe owned Cowtown Yamaha so she had an appreciation of motorcycles and cars. Sometimes we think her appreciation led her to driving too fast but she was trained to do that. There actually was a time her Daddy got onto her (which didn't happen very often) after a small car accident for driving too fast!

Paula was always full of life and energy! As a teenager she was a clown, dramatic, and entertaining!

She loved entertaining her friends by imitating actors and singers from the 70's. She had a really good imitation of Tina Turner and Billy Jack from the 1971 movie where he was a part-Indian Vietnam Veteran that kicked around bigots who picked on his girlfriends.

She would imitate Billy Jack going berserk that was especially funny. We would roll on the ground dying laughing after her impromptu performances for us. She and her mother particularly liked Ray Charles and they went to one of his concerts.

Paula was raised in the Baptist Church and often mentioned Pastor BoBo over the years. Her relationship with God was important to her.

We would all like to thank Laura Robinson, her guardian for taking care of Paula over the last years.

Mostly thank you Debbie Devonshire for carrying the biggest load of caregiving for Paula these last difficult years!