Paula Jane Harbour

Paula Jane Harbour passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the age of 87 in Arlington, TX.

Celebration of Life: 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 21 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Arlington, TX.

Interment: Nevill's Chapel Cemetery, Mount Pleasant, TX. Private family graveside service, Friday, March 20.

Paula was born September 26, 1938, in Talco, Texas (Maple Springs Community) to Paul and Nina Harbour. Upon graduation from Mount Pleasant High School, she attended the University of Texas in 1957 where she earned her bachelor's degree in Home Economics. In 1969, she received her master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from East Texas State University (Now East Texas A&M University) and did post graduate work at Texas Woman's University and University of Texas, Arlington.

Paula had an illustrious career that involved education, counseling, and organization. She began her career as a home economist with the Texas Agriculture Extension Service in Victoria and Corsicana, Texas, and then joined Kimbell Inc./Buddies Supermarkets as a home economist/consumer advisor for them where her published consumer educational work for them was nationally recognized by Woman's Day Magazine.

She headed for a new adventure in 1965 by becoming a U.S. Army Service Club Hostess in Kitzengen, West Germany. She served as a Recreational Specialist where she planned wholesome activities for the enlisted men when they were off duty. During her two years there, she travelled all over Europe. She returned to the U.S. and joined Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, N.C. as a counselor before moving back to Texas where she worked as the Residence/Program Director for Fort Worth Tarrant County YMCA for two years. She then joined Tarrant County College where she retired as Director of the Career Center on South Campus. Paula is also a Professor Emeritus of that college.

Her professional organizations included being a member and past president of American Association of University, Tarrant County Branch; Texas Junior College Student Personnel Association; Texas Junior College Placement Association; and the American Home Economics Association.

A resident of Arlington since 1977, she was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church where she participated and led in leadership of many outreach programs, and missions. Because of her dedication to the church and the Lord, she was honored as 2006 Church Woman of the Year. She was a 25-year volunteer for Tarrant County Meals on Wheels, a member of the advisory board for the Arlington Public Library and Steering Committee for O.S. Gray Natural Area.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and her brother Joe Max. She is survived by her cousins and many close friends.

As a lifelong gardener, Paula planted multiple seeds of joy, kindness, knowledge and love among her community and her family and friends who she cherished dearly.

Memorials may be sent to Trinity United Methodist Church in Arlington, TX or to the Joe Max Harbour Trust Scholarship at East Texas A&M Foundation; P.O. Box 3425, Commerce, TX 75429.