OBITUARY: Donald Wesley Paul – Maury County Origin

[ad_1]

Donald Wesley Paul left this world on Sunday morning May 14, 2023, due to pneumonia. He was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.

He was born on February 12, 1934.

He is five minutes older than his twin, Ronald Carlton Paul. Her twin died after their 65th birthday. Donald’s parents were the late Author L. and Vera Smith Paul.

He lived in Columbia all his life. He attended Andrews School and was part of their ball team. They played at other local schools. He attended Whitthorne and completed his education while serving in the Army. His military service was from September 1956 to September 1958.

Donald began working early as a popcorn popper at the Lyric and the Princess Movie Theater. He also worked for several years at Jersey Pride Creamery. He then co-owned the Furniture Mart with Cromer Jackson.

On December 24, 1954, he married his one and only love, Carolyn Davis. They had 68 years together, a lifetime of sharing their family love and talent for singing gospel music. Over the years, they became known as The Paul Quartet with his cousin, Douglas and siblings Ronald and Marion. Later, they sang as the Paul Trio then the Paul Family. Donald, Carolyn, their son Tim, Tim’s wife Diane who played piano, daughter Penny, her husband Rick Waters who played drums. Other times, family musicians join in. From the very beginning they were blessed with a talented pianist, Debbie Shelton Collins.

Over the years, the groups have had radio programs. The Donald and Ronald Paul Show is a Sunday morning program on WKRM. Donald did other WMCP shows.

He loved gospel music all his life. He is the bass singer for the group. He also became a promoter. He has booked many groups over the years. He was thrilled when he was able to purchase WXRQ in Mt. Pleasant. In September of 1988, he signed on as a full-time gospel station. The goal is for Maury County and surrounding counties to have access to the gospel in word and song.

This is community oriented information as local sports air on Mt. Pleasant High School. Thats Whats Happening in Mt. Pleasant is a community forum for our city. His prayer is to continue playing gospel music and pray that God will bless Mt. Pleasant.

Throughout the years, Donald served as PTA President at Highland Park School, was a member of Columbias Exchange Club and sponsored a ladies softball team. He served as a deacon, choir member and teacher at Whatley Street First Freewill Baptist Church.

Every New Year, he leads the singing as they sing the old year and the new year. Special groups and locals draw huge crowds every year. During the short break, everyone enjoyed good food and fellowship. The meals were served by the church girls. At 12:00 midnight, the congregation sang Amazing Grace followed by a prayer for the new year. Many times, the singing continued for a while as the singing and the spirit blessed the people. As a family group, many Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons were filled with singing in various churches around the area.

Donald is survived by his wife, Carolyn, son, Tim (Diane, deceased), Penny (Rick) Waters, grandchildren, Landon (Ashley Johnson) Paul, Keaton (Destiny) Paul, and Houston (Hannah Bryant) Paul. And an angel grandson, Timothy Weston Paul; great-grandchildren: Weston, Keller, Keasling Paul, Adalyn Paul, Braelynn Paul, and Baby Boy Paul (due in July). Donald is survived by his younger brother, Gerald Paul of Mt. Pleasant. He was blessed with a large family. Predeceased by her siblings: sisters- Ethel Chumley, Irene Fogg Lovell, Connie Messick and Marjorie McVicker; siblings- Marion H. Paul and Ronald C. Paul. He has many beautiful nieces and nephews from the Paul family and the Davis family. Also surviving in-laws are: Cleon (Bobby) Clayton of Florida, Sheila (Donald) Ledford, Debby (Dennis deceased) Fitzgerald, Janet (Stanley deceased) Norman, Rick Davis (deceased) and Jane Fetherling (deceased) . Special loved ones: Debbie Collins, Beth Clay, Wanda Pope, Mary (Sarge) Jones.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, May 19, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home. Entombment will follow in Maury Memorial Gardens Mausoleum with military honors provided by Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. Visitation will be held Thursday, May 18, 2023, from 4:00 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. https://www.tnfunerals.com

Pastor Tim Paul and Tim’s sons Landon, Keaton, and Houston Paul will officiate the service. The family will serve as pallbearers and members of The Church at the Mount will serve as honorary pallbearers.

A special thank you to the nurses on the first floor at Maury Regional Medical Center and the ladies at Hospice Compassus for all the kindness shown to Donald. We also thank Dr. Joe Fite for his special care.

For more obituaries visit https://maurycountysource.com/obituaries/

[ad_2]