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Paula Tipton Obituary
Paula Renae Tipton, 40, of St Augustine, Fla., went to be with her Lord and savior on August 19, 2012 at the Bailey Center for Caring surrounded by her family.
Renae attended local schools and was a graduate of the University of North Florida where she earned a master"s degree in elementary education. Renae was employed by the St. Johns County School Board and was blessed to have touched and been a part of so many of the children"s lives that she taught at Mill Creek Elementary School. Renae was awarded Teacher of the year in 2010.
Renae was active in 4H during her childhood and served as 4H president in 1988.
Renae was a devoted and loving wife, daughter, mother, teacher, and friend. She was preceded in death by her mother, Phyllis Parks McDonald.
Renae is survived by her eternal soul mate and devoted husband, Leon Tipton; children: Daniel Tipton, Leon Tipton Jr. (Jessica), Brandy Tipton, Noah Hurst, and Weldon Tipton; father, Jack McDonald; brother Tony Sprouse (Karen); mother-in-law, Joan Tipton; paternal grandparents, John and Ann McDonald; grandchildren, Issac Pritt and Jack Tipton; nephews, Shane and Sterling Sprouse; and a host of extended family, friends, and colleagues.
The family wishes to extend special thanks and gratitude to Dr. Jeffrey DiMascio, the staff of Cancer Specialists of North Florida, her loyal and dear friends Jo Saldona and Sandra Pearson, as well as all of her friends and colleagues at Mill Creek Elementary School for the support, care, and love expressed during Renae"s extended illness with breast Cancer.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, August 24, 2012, at St. Johns Family Funeral Home with Rev. Jerry Miller officiating. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery.
A visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, August 23, 2012, at St. Johns Family Funeral Home.
St. Johns Family Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Paula Tipton
March 13, 2013
I can't believe she's gone. She'll forever be in our hearts. What a beautiful person and teacher.
DARRELL BATES
August 27, 2012
MY MEMORY OF RENAE IS LIKE OTHERS BEAUTIFUL ATTITUDE AND SMILE. I WAS IN BAND WITH RENAE AND WE ALL SHARES SOME GREAT TIMES. I WILL TREASURE THOSE MOMENTS.
PRAYERS GO TO RENAE'S FAMILY.
Robert Nimmons
August 26, 2012
Renae was a wonderful person who lived a beautiful life. I have know her since the six grade, and she has always been a kind and sweet long lady...RIP my friend...
Jennifer Wingo
August 24, 2012
Leon and Joan I am so sorry for your loss. Please feel free to call me if you guys need anything. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Jennifer Wingo and Family
Sheryl Pennington
August 23, 2012
My heart and prayers go out to your family in this difficult time. Renae was a wonderful teacher. She turned my son Cody around to be interested in school again and want to do better. He now is in High school and is in the ROTC program at Nease High School. I know Renae would be so proud of him. This is all her hard work in making learning fun. We love you Renae may God Bless you now that you are no longer in pain. May God bless your family and help them deal with the loss of someone they love so dearly.
Marynda Peacock
August 23, 2012
Renae was my son's, Bradley Peacock's, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade teacher. Over those years she loved him and our family like her own. She was so loving and kind. She had a great smile and laugh. I had the honor of getting to know her on so many levels other than just my son's teacher. Bradley loved her so much. (He used to call me Mrs. Tipton and I would just smile) She will be missed by so many! She touched so many lives. Thank you for sharing her with all of us! We will continue to pray for you and your family. No more pain, no more fear, no more tears, no more cancer! We love you all!
Beth Plotts Kinnon
August 23, 2012
I remember first meeting Renae in our seventh grade social studies class at Ketterlinus. She was a leader, mature, confidant and kind. It doesn't surprise me that she went on to become a wonderful teacher. My heart goes out to her family and I pray that the Lord would be your strength in this time of loss.
Trisha Ellenwood
August 23, 2012
Renae was such a wonderful fun person. She was always smiling and so full of life. She touched so many lives with her kind spirit. Thank you God for sharing her with us. God bless her family.
Dana Nelson
August 22, 2012
We are so sorry to hear of her passing. Within every tragedy is a blessing. May her memory inspire everyone to be kind, loving and virtuous. As Renae touched the lives of children, may we strive to touch the lives of at least one person each day. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Tiptons in their time of grief. God bless all of you.
Diane Sprinkle
August 22, 2012
I had the unique experience of having Renae as a student and as a teacher colleague. When she was my student, I knew she was special and the love in her heart would be shared with many people, She was a teacher who gave generously her heart and tought them to love the journey of learning, I feel truly blessed for knowing and loving this beautiful woman and the people who knew her will feel that pain and loss for the rest of there lives. Go in peace Renae and know you were loved by young and old Diane Sprinkle
Dana Murray
August 22, 2012
Leon and Family,
May God be with you and your family during this very difficult time. Renae was such a blessing to all of us. She was an amazing friend, teacher, mother, wife, daughter. She was my son Austin's 3 rd grade teacher several years ago. At that time she became a cherished friend. We just love her.. May God give you the strength to get through this.. She will be missed.
Katrina Ables
August 22, 2012
Renae was such a wonderful person. It is such a loss that she has left us all. Words can't express what you are going through. Know that the thoughts and prayers of all are with you at this time. Stay strong like she did during the whole fight. She was loved by so many and will continue to be loved.
August 22, 2012
Renae was truly a sweet person inside and out. She will be greatly missed. Prayers from the Kinlaw family.
Dora Griffis
August 22, 2012
Dear Leon, Tony, and family; I can not tell you how very sorry I am to hear this. I'm shocked. My prayers are with you all at this sad time.
Dora Pacetti Griffis
Terry Bates
August 22, 2012
God bless Renae and her family. It has been since high, we last sent one another but I do recall her being a kind and sweet person. God has truly chosen a good person to bring home. To her remember your good times and be happy to know, she being protected by GOD almighty now, god bless
Terry Bates c/ o 1988
Larry & Becky Johnson
August 22, 2012
Leon and Family,
May God bless all of you during this time. Renae was such a special teacher and friend to my family. I still see her dancing the twist with my daughter's (Avery) 2nd grade class at Cunningham Creek Elem. Renae had such a beautiful smile, wonderful teacher and loved her family! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Jennifer Cogley
August 22, 2012
Our hearts were broken when we heard of Renae's passing. Renae was hands down the most talented teacher I have ever known. We became friends when she taught my son (her last year at Cunningham Creek)......we were so excited for her to get the job at Mill Creek, where she had been wanting to teach for years. We even enjoyed coming and helping her set up her new room! We lost contact after her mom got sick and my father became ill-I am truly sorry we did. We often think of her.....My son is now a senior in high school-and I know he is a better student for having her all those years ago.
May God bless your family with peace and comfort during this time. We will be praying for you all.
Sherry Rauch Free
August 22, 2012
Leon and Family,
Renea was truly a beautiful soul and will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless!
Kim Rolleston-Watson
August 22, 2012
I have lots of memories of school days with Renae. Growing up in the same neighborhood. She was beautiful inside and out. I send prayers to her family. She will be missed by many.
August 22, 2012
Leon & Kids,
We are sending love from our family to yours. I know she loved you all. Hopefully soon your will be able to remember the good times ya'll had and her smiling. Very sorry for your loss.
Love from our family to yours.
Allen & Tammy Singleton
Nancy Little
August 22, 2012
Renae was one of my "Peer Pals" at SAHS during her junior and senior years. She was always a kind and caring young woman. It does not surprise me that she went into elementary education where she could touch so many more lives. That will be her legacy to the world.
Libby Pacetti Register
August 22, 2012
I am truly sorry to hear of Renae's passing.she was such a fighter and a strong women devoted to her job. I remember seeing her at mill creek as I was visiting my daughter for Lunch, she would be out there on the playground watching her class play. I really made me think of how strong she was. that no matter what or how she felt she was THERE...Truly blessed to have known such a hero, I will never forget this bueautiful soul.. RIP peace Reane you surely deserve it.. God Bless the family.
August 22, 2012
My thoughts and prayers are with you MR.Tipton she was a wonderful she touched our family I was so blessed that I got to have five wonderful years with her as a teacher and pleasure of being a friend she will be deeply missed may God bless you and the family. Love The Bragalone Family
Darlene Dighton-Ayres
August 22, 2012
Leon and family,
I hope that my words find comfort and strength for you in the coming days. I am saddened at the news of Renae's passing but comforted to know that she is in Heaven walking along side her mother. She is now your Angel to guard you and watch over you. I graduate with Renae and knew of her strong faith in the Lord. I am proud that she was Teacher of the Year and wished that my children would have been taught by her. God Speed Renae....
Denise Esser
August 22, 2012
It is with great sadness that I hear of the passing of my friend and colleague. Renae was an inspiration to children and colleagues alike and it was a privilege to teach with her. May God's strength be with her family at this difficult time. Dee Esser
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