Paula Hill Childers

Pauline Bordeaux Hill “Paula” Childers, a resident of James Creek, Southern Pines, died Saturday, January 24 at her residence. A funeral service will be held Sunday, February 8, 2009 at 3:00 PM from the First Presbyterian Church in Lexington, with Rev. Dr. Lee Zehmer and Rev. Dr. John S. Lyles officiating. Burial will follow in Lexington City Cemetery. Paula was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Coleman and Pauline Spencer Hill on October 18, 1942. She attended West Riverside Elementary prior to her family’s move to Tampa in 1952. She was a serious student of ballet at the Kerenoff Dance studio for many years and in 1960 graduated from Plant High School, where she was active in many capacities and was a member of the Plant Dancerettes. She was an excellent and popular student, who took part in numerous other activities. She was subsequently elected Miss Shamrock. She attended Sullins College, a girls finishing school in Bristol, TN from 1960 – 62 and subsequently enrolled in Florida Presbyterian College, St. Petersburg, FL, where she met her husband, the late James Childers, and graduated in 1964 with a B.A in English and fine arts. Her teaching career began at the National Experimental School in Clearwater, FL, where she taught English and Art. Following her marriage in 1965, she moved with her husband, a vice-president of production for J.P. Stevens textiles, to various cities in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Alabama, finally settling in Southern Pines, NC upon his retirement. She never gave up her love of teaching, frequently and fondly remembering various students whom she had taught. She was active in the Presbyterian Church wherever she went and was elected president of the congregational body for several congregations. She was cited as one of America’s most promising young women, but withdrew from social life following the untimely death of her husband in 1993, choosing instead to concentrate on her family and her various personal interests. She is survived by her son, James Childers, Jr. of Santa Clara, California, along with her grandchildren, Hunter S. Childers, James A. Childers, III. and Shane Coleman Childers, her brother, Dr. Coleman Hill, of Seffner, FL, her brother in law, Dr. Jack Childers, Jr., and numerous family members in North and South Carolina, Arkansas, Texas and California. She was the embodiment of Southern graciousness. Our lives were enriched because she was a part of them; they are now made sadly poorer by her passing. She was a devoted Wife, mother and grandmother. Heaven has surely been made a better place since her arrival.