Pauline Frost O’Rear, a beloved wife, daughter, sister, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 30, 2026, at the age of 96.
Pauline was born on February 14,1930 in Carbon Hill, AL, the oldest of 9 siblings. She was truly a coal miner’s daughter growing up in the community of Coal Valley. After graduating from Oakman High School in 1947, she married William Sanford O’Rear, and they were married for 67 years. Pauline and Sanford moved to Birmingham in 1948. She worked for several years for Woolworths where she developed her cooking skills. She was a bookkeeper and head cashier for A&P Grocery stores for 30 years. She also worked for Hudd’s grocery stores and Western Supermarket. As a member of First Baptist Church of Center Point, she was an active participant of the ladies Sunday school class. Pauline and Sanford enjoyed traveling across North America with family and friends.
Upon retirement, she and Sanford moved to Jasper, AL. Pauline was an avid gardener. She obtained her Master Gardner’s certification and was part of many landscaping civic projects in Jasper, AL. As a member of a Jasper Community Gardening Club, she judged floral competitions around the State of Alabama and hosted meetings at her home. She competed in the Walker County State Fair plant competition and placed 1st and 2nd on several occasions. Her main hobby was working in the yard and growing beautiful flowers and plants. She also enjoyed cooking and was known for her three day three-layer coconut cake and sweet potato casserole. She loved to share her plants and cooking dishes with friends and family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dave and Paralee Frost, brothers and sister-in-laws, Cullen and Sue Frost and Charles and Myrtie Belle Frost, brother-in-law, Vernon Hodgins, sisters, Jeanette Frost and Viva Byrk.
She is survived by her brother, Clarence Frost, (Paula), sisters, Geraldine Hodgins, Jane Chandler, and Kathy Hartley. She is also survived by a daughter, Vivian Farrow (Earnest), a son Julius O’Rear (Amy), four grandsons, Marc Farrow (Ginny), Rusty Farrow (Ashley), Kent O’Rear (Gretchen) and Stuart O’Rear (Dora) and four great grandchildren, Madison Farrow, Blaine Whitt, Madelyn, Morgan, and Benjamin O’Rear along with many nieces and nephews.
The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, September 5th at 2:00 p.m. at Collins-Burke Funeral Home in Jasper, AL. Visitation starts at 1:00 p.m. and services begin at 2:00 p.m. Internment immediately follows at Walker Memory Gardens; 692 Highway 5 North, Jasper, AL.
