Paula Hyatt Newell

Paula Hyatt Newell traded in her earthly shoes for heavenly ones on July 24, 2025, after a life full of laughter, love, coffee, and the kind of joyful mischief that even Jesus Himself is probably chuckling at.

Born on July 29, 1956, Paula was a woman of strong opinions, stronger hugs, and a laugh that could fill a room and soften just about any heart. She loved big, prayed louder than most people sing, and had an uncanny ability to turn the simplest everyday moments into stories that people would retell for years. She was the kind of woman who never met a stranger, mainly because she treated everyone like family within three minutes of meeting them.

Paula had a way of making people feel seen, heard, and loved, all while handing them a cup of coffee, a dose of reality, and a life lesson wrapped in humor. Whether you needed advice, a prayer, or a sarcastic comment to keep your ego in check, she was your go-to gal.

She was famous for her razor-sharp wit and perfectly timed one-liners. She could make you laugh so hard you would forget what you were mad about, or at least forget why you walked into the room. Paula had a spiritual gift for storytelling, especially the kind that began with “I am not one to gossip, but…” and always ended in laughter. She loved music that stirred the soul, a clever inside joke, and observing people who tried to sneak out of Sunday service, as if the Lord could not see them.

She may not have claimed perfection, but she lived with deep joy and a sincere trust in the goodness of God. She would have told you that herself, likely after lovingly scolding you for not calling your mother or leaving the house without lipstick.

Paula is survived by her devoted husband of 37 years, David Newell; her sons, Kurt (Angela) Brooks and Corey Brooks; and her beloved grandchildren: Paige (Mason) Rockwell, Kelsey (Jason) Brooks, Jayden Brooks, Ashlyn Brooks, and Micah Brooks. She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren: Hendrix and Jaxton Moss, and Maci Rockwell. Paula is also survived by her siblings: Barbara Patrick, Deborah (Leslie) Rhodes, Sandra (Harold) Coleman, and George (Michelle) Hyatt. In addition to a host of extended family, Paula leaves behind an unofficial fan club of people she mothered, mentored, prayed over, cheered for, and lovingly bossed around throughout the years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and Houston Hyatt; her brother, Rodger Hyatt; and her nephew, Chad Coleman, who we imagine greeted her in Heaven with open arms and a cup of coffee.

Visitation will be on Friday, August 1, 2025, from 9 – 11 am at the Helena Presbyterian Church. A celebration of Paula’s life will be held in the church at 11 am with interment to follow at Evergreen Cemetery. Guests are encouraged to wear something red, her favorite color. Black was never really her thing; she preferred joy, color, and a little sparkle in every room she entered.

In lieu of flowers, please do something kind for someone. Bonus points if you make them laugh while you do it. That is exactly what Paula would have done, right after praying for you and making sure you were fed. For those who wish to honor her with a donation, the family invites you to support OCRA, the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, in Paula’s name.

We will miss her every day, but we take comfort in knowing that she is dancing in glory, cracking jokes with the angels, and finally getting to ask Jesus all her questions. Questions we suspect He is answering with a smile. Heaven may be gaining a new angel, but it is also gaining a wealth of advice, a scoop of banana pudding, and a whole lot of laughter.

The Riemann Family Funeral Home, West Jackson County, is serving the family.