Paula Edwina Weaver Phillips, age 78, passed from this earthly realm to eternal life in God’s Heaven on Monday, September 19, 2022, after an extended illness of kidney failure.
Paula was born on December 9, 1943, in Tullahoma, Tennessee. Preceding her in death were her parents, Edward Weaver and Marguerete Louise Holder, and her younger sister, Justine Ramona Weaver.
Paula is survived by her husband Roy Harrell Phillips; daughter, Elizabeth Amy Phillips Bowman (Gene); and grandson, Zachary Andrew Bowman.
Paula attended Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, TN, where she met Harrell. They were married October 16, 1965, in the Wesley Center Chapel at Tennessee Tech. After moving to Huntsville, she completed her bachelor’s degree in music at UAH.
She was a member of Huntsville First United Methodist Church since 1975. She quickly became involved in the church music program serving as Music Secretary/Librarian, singing in Sanctuary Choir, starting a children’s choir (Melody Singers), and starting a music class for children with handicapping conditions. This class became what is today’s Special Ministries program, of which Paula was the first director. She then started one of her favorite ministries, the Sunshine Choir Chimers, a musical group for people with special needs. They performed at multiple church and community events, Annual Conference, and a special Mass at St John’s cathedral in Birmingham honoring a retiring priest. She served for several years on the Conference Health and Welfare Committee as a result of her Special Ministries work at Huntsville First.
She was a member of the Huntsville Community Chorus for many years. She did vocal solo work in church and the Community Chorus. She taught piano in our home to children and adults for many years.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, September 25 at First United Methodist Church. The service will be live-streamed at https://huntsvillefirst.org/funerals
Donations may be made to Huntsville First United Methodist Church – Special Ministries Fund.
