Paula Jean Yancy, 73, passed away on December 18, 2022, at her home in Hixson, Tennessee.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul J. Yancy, and Marie (Slaten) Boleman; she is survived by her sister, Rhonda Fulghum (Mark); niece, Laura Fulghum, nephew, Nick Fulghum, and grandniece, Allison Fulghum.
Paula was a 1967 graduate of Hixson High School and completed her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at the University of Tennessee in Chattanooga. While at UTC Paula was a primary caregiver to Chantek, an infant Orangutan, who she helped raise and teach to communicate via sign language. After graduation, Paula moved to San Diego, Ca. Among her most cherished activities was working in the San Diego Zoo Nursery caring for newborn primates and other animals in need of special care.
Never one to stop achieving her goals, Paula attended San Diego State University and obtained a teaching credential in 1995 and later a master’s degree in Instruction and Curriculum in 2000. She began her teaching career at Cuyamaca Elementary School, in El Cajon, Ca., teaching third grade, and later in her career taught sixth grade math at Greenfield Middle School. After retiring from the California School System in 2017, Paula returned home to help care for her mother.
From former colleague and special friend Donna: “Paula was a wonderful and dedicated teacher as well as a supportive colleague. Her classroom was welcoming and full of love. You could always find Paula on campus every weekend working on her lessons for the upcoming week.”
Paula was a wonderful daughter, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, and a very dear and loyal friend to all she chose to welcome into her circle – and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
Final arrangements are being handled by Covenant Funeral Services. A private gathering will be held at a future date with interment at Town Creek Cemetery in Rainsville, Al.