Paula Phillips
(April 6, 1943 - June 13, 2016)
Paula Yvette Smith was born to Robert and Pauline Smith of Oklahoma City on April 6, 1943 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Paula attended Capital Hill High School. She was an active member of the Lambuth United Methodist Church and youth group and the lifelong friends she made there still have reunions today. After a secret engagement, she married her high school sweetheart in 1959. They made their home in Oklahoma City and had 3 children, Wendy, Alan, and Brett.
The family moved to Canton in 1971 and took over the Grand Theater from Paula’s parents. They later purchased the Canton Florist along with the Movie Poster Service. Paula loved the theater business and liked attending movie trade shows with her parents, Bob and Pauline. After the decline of hometown movie theaters, The Grand Theater was closed and sat empty until Paula decided to donate the theater to the Arts Council of Canton in order for the community to enjoy the building once again.
In March of 1985, Paula married Lendall "Red" Phillips. They made their home in Healdton, Oklahoma until moving to Canton around 1989 to help take care of her father who was in failing health. Paula and Red lived together in the Canton area until Red’s passing this past January. Paula loved to decorate and has helped several women through the years decorate their homes, from picking out paint and wallpaper, to furniture and wall décor. Red was a cross-country truck driver and Paula helped run the business from home and often made the trips with him. She also helped out with businesses in the community, from The Bag Ladies to the thrift store. In later years Paula and Red had a pilot car business until the decline of Red’s health in 2015.
Paula loved her kids, grandkids, and family more than anything. Her grandkids remember her famous breakfasts as well as spending many holidays at her and Red’s home. Paula was an avid animal lover and she and Red often took in stray cats and dogs, along with the occasional squirrel or raccoon. Though small in stature, Paula’s heart was as big as they come and she leaves behind many loved ones, family, and friends.
Paula was preceded in death by, her parents, Bob and Pauline Smith; her brother, Bruce Smith; and her husband, Red Phillips. She is survived by, her daughter, Wendy Gammon and husband Keith of Seiling, Oklahoma; her son, Alan Wooley and wife Lonnie of Marble Falls, Texas; her son, Brett Wooley of Canton, Oklahoma; and her daughter-in-law, Ruth Ann Phillips of Emmaus, Pennsylvania; along with 7 grandchildren; Justin Gammon and wife Christy, Jill Jennings and husband Jeremy, Paul Geisinger and wife Nicole, Keeci Gammon, Robert Wooley, Allana Wooley and Tori Wooley and 6 great-grandchildren; Meghan Bell, Colten Bowen, Cooper Jennings, Brynn and Sloan Geisinger and Rozin Gammon. Her sister-in law Alma Smith and many other friends and relatives.
Memorial services will be held at 1:30 p.m., Monday, June 20, 2016 at the Grand Theater in Canton, OK with Chaplain Danny Cavett officiating. Arrangements by Haigler-Pierce Funeral Home, Canton, OK. Memorials may be made to the G.A.C.C. (local theater preservation group) with the funeral home serving as custodian at P.O. Box 36, Canton, OK, 73724. Condolences may be made online at haiglerpierce.com.
