Paula Downs Henson, age 70, of Tatum, Texas departed this life to be with her Lord in Heaven on June 18, 2024 at a Texarkana, Texas hospital.
Paula was born August 3, 1953 in Texarkana, Arkansas to James H. Downs and Eva Barrett Downs. She was a retired Financial Management Specialist from Red River Army Depot and a member of First Baptist Church, New Boston, Texas. During her youth years she was active in G.A.’s mission program, as a member and later as a teacher. As a team member in youth ministry, through music, she played piano at youth services held in area churches. For many years, Paula enjoyed worshiping with friends in the Friendship Sunday School Class prior to her move to Tatum, Texas in 2015, after the deaths of her parents. She enjoyed camping, fishing, and traveling. Anyone who knew Paula was aware of how much she loved her Lord and Savior, how much she loved her family and friends and devoted her life to them. Paula cared deeply for mission work and supported it in the local area. She was a devoted “prayer warrior” for the Lord and strongly believed in the power of prayer. Her life was living proof that prayers are answered.
She was preceded in death by her father in October 2009 and mother in 2011, both at the age of 80. She was also preceded in death by her grandparents, Ruth Braley Downs and Golden Audrey Downs of Simms, Texas and Ida Shumake Barrett and Luke Benjamin Barrett of De Kalb, Texas.
She is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Kristi and Cody Baker of Tatum, Texas; one sister and brother- in-law, Pam Downs Hensley and Rod Hensley of New Boston, Texas; two grandchildren, Ryan and Kayla Baker of Tatum, Texas; two nieces, Jamie Hensley Tye and her husband, Kevin of Red Lick, Texas and Ava Tye of Red Lick, Texas; one nephew, Liam Tye of Red Lick, Texas; a very special and devoted soulmate, David Granberry of Texarkana, Texas. She was blessed with several aunts, uncles, and a large number of bonded cousins and relatives.
Services will be 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 21, 2024 at Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, Texas with Robby Bates and Rev. Ken Cox officiating. Interment will follow at Old Union Cemetery in Simms, Texas.
Visitation will be held 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 21, 2024 at Bates Family Funeral Home in De Kalb, Texas.
Memorials may be made to Old Union Cemetery Association, c/o 120 Hunters Cove, Texarkana, TX 75501.
Online registration at www.batesfamilyfuneralhome.com.
