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Paula Unger
1963 - 2025
FUNERAL HOME
Paula Unger Obituary
Sep 15, 1963 - Jul 10, 2025
Paula Terri Barfield Unger passed away Thursday, July 10, 2025. A Visitation will be held at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home Wednesday, July 16, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life service will be held the following morning at 9:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17, at Lake Shore Baptist Church. Those wishing to pay their respects and celebrate Paula's life are welcome to attend.
Paula was born September 15, 1963, at Hillcrest Hospital in Waco, Texas, to Peggy Barfield and Harlin "Sonny" Barfield. She attended Mountainview Elementary, Lake Air Junior High and graduated from Richfield High School in 1981. She was a Richfield Ram, through and through, a lieutenant on the drill team, and a senior favorite. She attended the University of Texas and Baylor University, earning both her bachelor's and master's degrees in sociology. Over the course of her career, she taught at Texas State University, Baylor University, and McLennan Community College (MCC). At MCC, she found her professional home, working for many years as a beloved professor, grant program director, and academic advisor. She was deeply committed to education, her students, and her colleagues.
Paula was a devoted mother to her two children, Clive Unger (28) and Camille Unger (25). Together, they shared a love of art, music, and discussing life's curiosities. Suppertime at their home often became spirited conversations about politics, history, sociology, philosophy or, of course, music. As a teacher and a mother, Paula fostered in her kids a passion for truth, curiosity, and connection.
Paula loved Texas and Americana Music. She worked with Texas Music Café and spent many nights dancing and listening at Gruene Hall, the Continental Club, The Kessler, Sons of Herman Hall and other iconic music venues. Her love for music expanded the tastes of everyone around her.
Paula is survived by her two children, Clive and Camille Unger; her husband, Michael Vieregg; her stepdaughters, Emily Vieregg and Katie Vieregg; her mother, Peggy Barfield; and her brothers, Keith, Rusty, and Neal Barfield.
Please consider honoring Paula's memory by contributing to scholarships at McLennan Community College Foundation. Checks can be mailed to 1400 College Drive Waco, TX 76712 or given online at https://www.mclennan.edu/foundation.
The family invites you to leave a message or a memory of Paula in her "Memorial Guesbook" at www.WHBfamily.com.
Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funerals and Cremations
6101 Bosque Blvd, Waco, TX 76710
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memorial Events
for Paula Unger
Jul
16
Memories and Condolences
for Paula Unger
Sponsored by Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.
1 Entry
Susan Guilbault
Yesterday
To the Barfield Family,
Since hearing of Paula´s passing, my heart has been heavy. I´ve found myself reflecting so often on those days in the 70s and 80s-the best neighborhood, in my opinion-when life revolved around the five houses that made up our little world on Mt. Carmel and Westlawn: the Barfields, the Richards/Risenhoovers, the Holcombs, the Hobarts, and the Guilbaults. Those years were filled with so much fun, so much mischief, and so many memories that shaped who we all became.
I´ve known Paula and the Barfields since we moved back to Waco in 1972, and we could not have asked for better neighbors. I always looked up to Paula. She was everything a young girl could admire-so beautiful, so kind, and so confident. Even though she was a few years older, she always made time for me. Whether we were listening to Partridge Family 45s on her record player, riding bikes to the old 7-Eleven at Lake Air and Cobbs (which I´m sure my mother never knew about since I was not allowed to cross over Wooded Acres), or simply sharing those small but meaningful moments of friendship, Paula always made me feel seen and valued.
Though our paths only crossed a few times a year as adults, time never seemed to matter. Paula left an indelible mark on everyone blessed enough to know her.
My heart aches for all of you, and I´m especially thinking of her sweet mom. Please know that the Guilbault family is lifting you all in prayer during this time.
"Though her presence is gone, her love remains-a light that will never fade."
With love and deepest sympathy,
Sue
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