Delma Laverne Paulk

Posted on November 13, 2019

Mrs. Delma Laverne Paulk, 80, passed away on November 9, 2019. Delma was a native of Taylor County, born in the Waylonzo area November 6, 1939, to Mr. and Mrs. J. B. and Arrie Bell (Williams) Wilson.

The family moved several times between Georgia and Florida and lived for a time in Largo and Salem, Fla., before settling in Baconton, Ga.

There Delma graduated from Mitchell County High School in Camilla, Ga., and went to Albany Tech School in Albany, Ga. She was employed in Albany when she met her husband Jessie H. Paulk. They were married March 3, 1961, in the Mitchell County courthouse in Camilla and had a brief honeymoon in Salem, Fla.

Upon return, they settled in Albany with Mr. Paulk’s two daughters Evelyn and Nancy from a previous marriage. Mr. Paulk entered the Federal Civil Service at Marine Base Albany and they purchased a home in Putney, Ga. Their daughter Robin was born there in 1962 and they were both active in the community affairs, becoming charter members of the First Baptist Church of Putney, still in existence until today.

Their house burned in 1964 and they moved to the Lester Community in Mitchell County, Ga. There their daughter Morgan was born.

Mr. Paulk transferred from the Marine Base to Turner Air Force Base in Albany, they then moved back to Albany to be closer to his work.

In 1965, the government announced the closure of the Air Force Base and Mr. Paulk transferred to Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, GA. They moved there in 1967 and purchased a home.

Mr. and Mrs. Paulk were active participants in the Warner Robins community, clubs and activities, joining the Jaycees-Jaycettes, Toastmasters and the Epilepsy Association of GA (EAG).

Mrs. Paulk did so much volunteer work for the Jaycees that she was made an honorary member of that group. She served as the First Lady of the State Toastmasters when her husband was elected as the State President.

During this time they were owners of Paulk Photography in Houston Mall in Warner Robins and were very successful with the wedding photography business but volunteer work needed to come first so they sold this business.

However, her first love was for the folks stricken with epilepsy. She volunteered her time and later became the State Vice President of the EAG. Delma traveled many miles transporting children with epilepsy and their parents from around the state to Augusta, Ga., for diagnosis and treatment.

She had compassion for these young adults and their problems. She was the founder, organizer and leader of the PERT Club (People with Epilepsy, Recreation and Training), which was established to help these adults with daily activities such as shopping, banking, sports, church, etc.

Mrs. Paulk became concerned that folks with epilepsy could not purchase insurance. She and her friend, Darlene Norman, decided to go to school and get the education and training necessary to become Insurance Agents.

They became affiliated with Bosworth & Associates of Macon, Ga., and were able to procure insurance for their PERT club members and others with epilepsy. To help reduce their clients’ costs they turned their sales commissions back to their customers.

Delma and Ms. Norman did this for over 10 years, going back to school each year to keep their licenses current.

In 1982, her husband transferred to HQ ESD in Hanscom Air Force Base, MA. Mrs. Paulk moved to join him in 1983 and stayed with him when he transferred in 1984 to HQ U.S. Marine Corps in Washington, D.C. Mr. Paulk retired in 1990 and they then moved to Salem, Fla., to set up their retirement home.

Mrs. Paulk was employed and retired from the Taylor County School system. She also liked to sew quilts and belonged to the Pottsdill Thread Rippers of Perry. Mr. and Mrs. Paulk became active members of the Salem Baptist Church.

Mrs. Paulk was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. J.B. and Arrie Bell (Williams) Wilson; four brothers, David Roosevelt, Wilton Edward, Bobby Gene and Joseph Emanuel Wilson; two sons in law Yancy Sadler and David Church; stepson-in-law Harvey Shugart; two grandsons, Micah and Jessie Church-Paulk; and one granddaughter Madison Paulk.

She is survived y her husband of 58 years Jessie H. Paulk; daughter Evelyn Hooten (Rick) of Chappell Hill, TX; stepdaughter Nancy Leedy of Vienna, GA; two daughters, Robyn Paulk of Salem, FL and Morgen Paulk of Empire, CO; sister Judy Washington of Sale City, GA; and two God daughters, Danette Norman of Pensacola and Devyn Norman of Charleston, S.C.; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held Saturday, November 16, 2019, at 10 a.m. in the Salem Baptist Church fellowship hall one hour before the services at 11 a.m.

Pastor Steve Fox and Rev. Melvin Sadler will officiate. Pallbearers will be the young men of the church and the honorary pallbearers will be the Sr. Ladies Sunday School class.

Interment will follow at the Salem Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers that a memorial be made to the Salem Cemetery Trust Fund in care of Iris Hardin, P.O. Box 303 Salem, Fla. 32356.

All arrangements are under the care of Joe P. Burns Funeral Home of Perry.

Friends may sign the online guest book at www.joepburnsfuneralhomes.com