Paula (Hardin) Hughes was born on August 17, 1945 in Houston, Texas. She was the daughter of Paul and Mamie Hardin. Paula is survived by her son Jonathan Hughes and his wife Carla; Jonathan’s father Ed Hughes; her niece Dawn Hardin Davis; Dawn’s children Christian and Nasta Davis; her nephew Jack Hardin and his wife Yvonne; her sister-in-law Gwen Hughes; and Gwen’s children Scott and David.
Paula was an evangelist, mentor and visionary proven by her life’s accomplishments. As a teenager she was a counselor at her Bible Camp for several years. Three things her mom instilled in her were Bible memorization, hymn memorization and prayer. These qualities supported and characterized her entire life. With her mom, Paula walked the neighborhood inviting all the children to come to her home Bible class. Every Thursday up to fifty children spent time in their living room with Paula playing the piano and singing while Paula’s mom taught about receiving Christ. Paula formed several Bible classes in high school and in her work place.
Over 50 years ago, Paula and her close friend Lee Sale developed a book club, Pathway Book Reviewers, and this club is currently operating. She and Nancy Reeves began a program and Bible study for the orphans at Buckner Home for Children. This program provided the orphans with homes during the holidays.
Paula was director of Vacation Bible School and expanded the program beyond the church and into the local neighborhoods. Her passion for winning neighborhoods for Christ surpassed her desire to teach only within the church. She became chairman for the Park Cities Christian Women’s Club and later became a Stonecroft Missionary. She traveled the US starting new groups, trouble shooting existing ones and became a much sought after conference speaker. She traveled eleven months of the year and was later promoted to Vice President of Ministry which allowed her new program initiative skills to flourish.
She also loved the bridal and fashion industry and became the manager of a bridal shop in both San Antonio and in Kansas City. She was on the board for Texas Fashion and was named Who’s Who for the organization. Paula was on the board for Amigos Del Rio, the Dallas Symphony, Dallas Summer Musicals and the Dallas Ballet, as well as a volunteer for the Majestic Theater. She refused to let herself stay within the church bubble because she wanted to tell the story of Jesus’ love to those outside of the church.
Win or lose, she was an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. She had no patience with those fair weather fans.
Surrounded by family at her home in Dallas, she stormed the Gates of Heaven on the Lord’s Day, May 22, 2016.
Private Family Burial services at Ft. Towson Cemetery in Ft. Towson, OK were handled by Prater-Lampton-Mills & Coffey Funeral Home in Hugo, OK. A celebration of Paula’s life will be held at Northwest Bible Church, 8505 Douglas Avenue, Dallas, TX 75225 on Wednesday, May 25 at 2:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Village Missions online at www.villagemissions.org.
Family and friends are invited to sign the guest book or send private condolences to the family at www.praterlampton.com.
