Verna Mae Woolard Paul, age 79, passed away from natural causes at her Panama City, Florida, condo on Jan. 31, 2019.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, at noon, at Hamilton Mill Memorial Chapel, 3481 Hamilton Mill Road, Buford, GA 30519 (770-945-6924). Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until noon at the chapel.

Verna was born in Washington on April 15, 1939, to Lonnie C. Woolard and Verna Everson Woolard. On Feb. 24, 1957, Verna married Robert C. (Bob) Paul, of Yeatesville. They moved to Greensboro, where Bob pursued his career with FW Woolworth. Verna attended Bath High School but graduated in Greensboro. She became a licensed cosmetologist and also worked as an administrative assistant for several companies over the years.

Verna and Bob moved many times throughout eastern United States, from Miami to New York City, as Bob’s career advanced. They settled in Atlanta in 1982 and later retired to their home on Lake Lanier in Buford, Georgia. Verna was a member of Buford Baptist Church and enjoyed many years of volunteering, especially in the children’s nursery.

Verna loved life and was full of joy. She loved being with her family and friends, and was always the caretaker, making sure everyone was having a good time. She especially loved the water, whether at the beach or on the lake, and she and Bob were avid boaters for many years. Bob preceded Verna in death on Oct. 20, 2009.

Verna is survived by two sons, Terry (wife Gina) and Robbie (wife Laura), and one granddaughter, Lanier Paul, all of Buford. She is also survived by three sisters, Dorothy Alligood, Laura Clark and Merle Lou Nobles; a sister-in-law, Josephine (Nathan) Woolard; two brothers-in-law, Brinson and Don Paul; niece, Judy W. Humphries (husband Mike); nephews, Carlos Clark (wife Sharon) and Lonnie Woolard; nieces, Joyce Woolard, Shirley Price, Barbara Jean Woolard, Linda Faye Woolard, Glenda Howerin, Mary Godley, Cindy Nobles; and numerous great-nieces and -nephews, and cousins.

In addition to her parents and husband, Verna was preceded in death by three brothers, Harley and wife Mildred, James Thomas (J.T.), and Nathan Earl; one sister, Edna and husband Roy; four brothers-in-law, Floyd Alligood, Calvin Clark, Johnny Nobles and Reid Paul; one sister-in-law Ruth P. Sutton; eight nephews, Floyd Jr. and Walter Gray Alligood, Johnny Jr. and Rayford Nobles, Gene, Leroy, Bruce and Cosker Woolard; and two nieces, Ethel Jones and Wilma Tingen.

In lieu of flowers, Verna may be remembered with donations to either “The Great Commission” c/o First Baptist Church Buford, 4550 Hamilton Mill Road, Buford GA 30518, or Rosemary Church of Christ, 5116 Slatestone Road, Washington, NC 27889.