Paula Marie Hebb

Paula Marie Hebb departed this life on Wednesday, May 16, 2012, at Specialty Hospital in Washington, D.C. She was born on September 5, 1956 to the late Thomas Leroy Hebb and Margaret Briscoe Hebb in Washington, D.C. She was the second of five children born to this union and was loved dearly by her parents. Paula was an extremely outgoing child, who loved hanging out with her family and friends. Her smile would light up the room and she loved making people laugh.

Paula graduated from Anacostia High School and attended the University of the District of Columbia. She worked at the Smithsonian Institute and later at the U.S. Postal Service for more than 30 years, until she retired in 2011.

As a young child, Paula was involved in Karate and joined the community softball team. She later joined an acrobatic team, the Flying Nesbitts, which appeared as an opening act for various R&B groups and other social events around the D.C. area. While attending Sousa Jr. High School, Paula, her sister, and a group of friends decided to dance to the song “Shaft” in the school’s talent show. The group enlisted the help of a community dance instructor, who immediately advised the group that Paula should be the lead dancer as “Shaft”, because of her personality. They entered the talent show and came in first place. The audience came alive to her performance and she became known as “Shaft” around school. We all teased her about it for years!

Paula was very protective over her family and had a heart for those who were unable to defend themselves. The family use to joke with Paula, that she could beat us up whenever she pleased, but no one else could touch us. She would show her big smile, for which she was known, and say, “you got that right!” Also, anyone who knew Paula knew that she lived to play Bingo. Her love for Bingo was another running joke in the family. She would laugh at us and say, “yeah, ya’ll can laugh while I’m counting my money too,” which was an understatement, because she did very well at winning in Bingo!

Paula leaves to cherish her memory, her loving son, Michael S. Gallion, Jr. (Jennifer), her grandchildren, Michael III, Mariah, Tynia, Malique, Marcel, Martinus, Monyae, Maciah, Manny and Michaela; sister, Deborah; brothers, Thomas “Petie”, Jr., Charles “Brian”, Sr. (Wanda) , Kevin (Mia); nephews, Thomas “Putt” (Edwina), Charles “BJ”, Jr., Elliott (deceased); nieces, Makeeta (Steve), Nikia, Kaya (Kyle), Tania, Tiffany and Breanna; great-nieces and nephews, Thomas, Ravyn, Stephen, Lauryn, Kira, Charlie, Kyle, Jr., Kori Lynne; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Thomas Leroy and Margaret Briscoe Hebb.

Services were held on Thursday, May 24 from 10 a.m. until time of service, 11 a.m., at Briscoe-Tonic Funeral Home, 38576 Brett Way, Mechanicsville, MD. Interment St. Francis Xavier Cemetery.