Paula Sonnenburg Hastings

Paula Sonnenburg Hastings, born June 17, 1931 in Troy, TX, passed away from heart failure on August 18, 2021 at the age of 90. She was the daughter of Madge Mayo and Oscar Paul Sonnenburg. She was preceded in death by her two brothers Lee Dean and Delane.

Paula married Glenn W. Hastings, and they spent 25 years together building a family, before his passing in 1973. Later in life, she found love again with J.D. Paulk of Belton, TX until his passing in July 2020.

Paula enjoyed her job as a PBX operator for the Santa Fe Railroad, and later retired from McDermott in New Orleans in 1992.

Paula was blessed with two children, Glenn Hastings Jr. (deceased 2018) and Patricia Hastings Joseph. She had five grandchildren, James (Loree), Stephanie, Mark (Caitlin), Suzanne (Mark) and John (Megan), who brought immense joy to her life. She was fortunate enough to see six great grandchildren enter the world, Chloe, Max, Shelby, Taylor, Addison and Declan.

Everybody loved Paula. She was a member of the Church of Christ all of her adult life, where she made lifelong friends who became family. Norma Sumrall was like a sister to her over the course of their 53-year friendship. Paula’s contagious smile and laughter endeared her to everyone who was fortunate enough to cross her path.

Our world was blessed to have this wonderful woman for 90 years. All who knew her will miss her. In lieu of a public ceremony, the family asks that each of those who knew Paula celebrate her life in their own way.