Paula Barbara McMichael

Paula Barbara McMichael, age 90, passed away on November 1st, 2025, in her home in Auburn, California. Paula was born on February 26th, 1935, to Raphael McKinley and Billie Jean Gray in Oakland, California. She grew up in Placerville, California until she went to San Jose State University where she received her bachelor's degree in early childhood education. It was in San Jose where she met John McMichael and married him on December 17th, 1955. They moved to Chico, California in 1957, where they had their first 3 children, Robin, Pam and Jay. They then moved to Durham, California in 1967, where they had their last child, Sandy.
Paula was a beloved teacher at Durham Elementary School. While she taught many grade levels, she especially loved teaching 4th grade and did so until her retirement in 1996. She was known by her many students over the years as "Mrs. Mac" and had the pleasure of even teaching the children of her former students. She was always so humbled and touched when students would come back many years later to see her and tell her what a positive difference and impact she made in their lives.
After retirement, Paula spent most of her time devoted to her family. She enjoyed spending as much time as possible with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, who fondly referred to her as "Nanny" or "G-G" (Great-Grandma). Paula loved her family very much and is fondly remembered for her hospitality, kindness, generosity, and love. She loved to cook and share her famous chili, stew, and spaghetti sauce with friends and neighbors. On holidays, she was known for delivering treats throughout the neighborhood, sometimes enlisting her kids and grandkids for help. She had an incredible memory for everyone's birthday and never missed an opportunity to share a card and well wishes with loved ones.
Above all, Paula is remembered for her devoted faith and love for Jesus. She lived her life marked by her values of kindness, compassion, humility and generosity for all to see, and always treated people with the utmost respect. She loved attending church as well as the fellowship group in her community. Paula maintained a servant's heart and always put others' needs before her own.
Paula is survived by her children Robin, Pam, and Sandy, her sons-in-law, Brett and Jorge, her grandchildren Nick, Will, Sarah, Kathryn, Jonathan, Joshua, and Kristiana, her granddaughters/grandsons-in-law Tina, Kara, Johnny, and Ben, her great-grandchildren Lilly, Luke, and Ally and her grandson-in-law Nicholas.
She is preceded in death by her parents Raphael and Billie Jean, her husband John, her son Jay, and her brothers Don and Bob.
A memorial service will be held at Rock Creek Mobile Home Park at 3765 Grass Valley Highway in Auburn, California in the main clubhouse on Saturday November 29th, 2025, at 12pm. A light lunch will be served.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory be made to Paula's church, Calvary Chapel Newcastle at 661 Newcastle Road, Newcastle CA 95658.