Paula Jean Patterson Smith

Mrs. Paula Jean “LaLa” Patterson Smith, 63, died Tuesday, November 18, 2025, surrounded by her family in Denver, CO. The funeral service will be Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 2:00 P.M. at New Prospect Baptist Church with Rev. Fish Robinson and Rev. Buster Wilson officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 3:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. in West Hall at Waller Funeral Home and again prior to the service beginning at 1:00 P.M. at the church. Burial will follow in Tula Cemetery.

Paula was born on June 18, 1962, in Lafayette County, MS to the late Paul Ernest and Rosa “Rosie” Jean Langston Patterson. She grew up in Oxford and graduated as salutatorian of College Hill Academy Class of 1980 before attending Ole Miss where she earned her BA in Education. All who knew Paula understood the great love she had for her family and community. She quietly cared for others with homecooked meals, freshly baked cakes or simple visits and easy conversation. Her children tagged along on many of these visits as they watched their mother pour into her community. The joy of her life was raising her children and she was proud to watch each of them mature into adulthood and start their families. While they were growing up, she worked in the Lafayette County School system as an assistant and substitute teacher and assisted in the cheerleading program, the drama club and band. Only second to raising her family was becoming “LaLa” to her grandchildren. She spent hours splashing in the pool teaching them to swim and warm days down by the lake teaching the art of fishing. These moments, now memories, were some of the happiest times of her life. LaLa loved having her grands over for sleepovers that were full of giggles, extra snacks and later than normal bedtimes. As a longtime member of New Prospect Baptist Church, Paula displayed her love of the Lord to all that knew her through her daily actions, kind words and inviting smile. She had a soft heart towards animals and could not be told no when she walked in with a new rescue dog, puppy or kitten. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ted Patterson and Gene Patterson and a nephew, Scott Patterson.

Paula is survived by her husband of 43 years, Michael Dean Smith of Oxford; two daughters, Ashley Smith Baker and her husband, Bradley and Kelli Smith Russell and her husband, Cole both of Oxford; a son, Michal Dean Smith, II and his wife, Lexi of Denver, CO; a sister, Rosemary Windham and her husband, Jim of Oxford; two brothers, Robert Patterson of Oxford and Bruce Patterson and his wife, Cheryl of Oxford and seven grandchildren, Thomas, Annarose, Ben, Molly, Maren, Sutton and Smith Anne.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Paula’s memory made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or by visiting www.stjude.org/give.