Paula Denese Smith

Paula Denese Smith went to be with her Lord on Friday, December 10, 2010, after a short illness. Paula was born on July 6, 1966, at Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital. She was 44 years old.
Paula graduated from Shady Spring High School in 1984. As a member of the Shady Spring High School marching band, Paula played the clarinet. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration in 1988 from Beckley College. Paula also attended West Virginia University in Morgantown, WV, working toward an electrical engineering degree.
The true passion and love of Paula’s life was her Shaklee Health and Wellness Company — which she successfully owned and operated for over 28 years. Paula earned the rank of Coordinator in her business and had won numerous trips and awards for her achievements and accomplishments. Most recently, she earned the 2010 Imagine Cruise to the Western Caribbean. It is impossible to count the number of lives that she touched and people that were helped because of her gentle, caring spirit and her immense wealth of knowledge.
Another true love of Paula’s life was her animals that she loved so deeply — especially her dogs, Buckwheat (deceased) and Buddy.
Paula was also passionate about knitting items for others in need. Specifically, she worked countless hours to knit hats for premature babies at Raleigh General Hospital and for the people of Mongolia — which she donated through a charity organization. She also knitted scarves for the United States military troops serving in Afghanistan. Her most recent donation for the troops was just sent a few weeks ago.
Left here on earth to cherish her memory and continue her legacy of caring and compassion are her parents, Nettie and Paul Smith of Flat Top Lake, her sister, Melanie Vanderpool and her husband Leddy of Scottsdale, AZ, and her maternal grandmother, Eileen Smith of Daniels, along with her many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Paula also cherished the ongoing friendship and support that she received over the years from her best friend, Sherryl Tackett.
Paula was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Virgie and Marion Goodman, and her paternal grandfather, Paul A. Smith.
Although the true value and meaning of a person’s life on earth sometimes eludes us, it was very clear that Paula’s purpose was to love others and bring sunshine into everyone’s life that she touched. We are happy to report that Paula fulfilled her purpose and taught everyone around her so much. We will miss her every day but have the peace of knowing that because of her Christian life and love of the Lord that she is happy, content and smiling down on us forever.
A memorial service to celebrate Paula’s life will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 15th, at Calfee Funeral Home, 800 South Oakwood Avenue, Beckley, WV. Visitation will begin at 6:30 p.m. An online memorial tribute has been established for Paula at www.calfeefh.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Paula’s favorite charity organization, Raleigh County Animal Rescue (a no-kill shelter).
Raleigh County Animal Rescue
P.O. Box 794
Coal City, WV 25823
Phone: 304-228-9047
[emailprotected]
Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.