Paula Dee Lightner

Paula Dee Lightner

May 18, 1945- October 30, 2023

​Paula Dee Mahan was born on May 18, 1945 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to Willis F. and Grace Pinkerton Mahan.  She was number 6 of 8 kids.

Paula graduated from Denver City High School on May 29, 1964.  She then furthered her education by graduating from Odessa College with her LVN nursing degree on April 8, 1967.  On April 30, 1971 Paula married the love of her love Ron.  In 1980 they were blessed with their first born, Rachel and she was followed by Rebecca in 1984.  Paula graduated with her RN nursing degree on May 12, 1989.

Paula was baptized at Northview Assembly of God in Nacogdoches Texas on February 24, 1991. Then again through rededication at the Community Church of PK Lake Texas on January 4, 2015.

Paula had such a heart for others that she demonstrated throughout her career as an RN in several different departments ranging from caring for babies to caring for the elderly as a home health nurse.  She loved her family and friends deeply and was the first to lend a helping hand if needed.  If you were around her for any length of time you quickly learned she had a love for reading and cooking and would insist on feeding everyone that crossed her path without a second thought. Many requests were made for her biscuits and gravy for breakfast when she would visit family and friends overnight among other favorites.

Paula is preceded in death by her parents, husband Ronald Lightner, brother Don Mahan, sisters Pat Jones, Dorothy Jones, and Jerry Costiloe.

Paula is survived by her sister Jane Woodson, sister Sandra Wheeler and her husband Johnny, brother Warren Mahan and his wife Marilyn, daughters Rebecca Lightner, Rachel Welch and her husband Kerry, grandchildren Bryanna and Blaine Batey, Jacob Lightner and Julie Archuleta, other dear grandchildren and great grandchildren in love, scores of loving nieces and nephews and a supportive network of church and caregiving family members.

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