Paula Joyce Stodghill-Byars, 51, of Clinton, Mississippi went to her heavenly home on the evening of November 4, 2023. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends. Paula was a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, role model, and friend. She was beloved by many and spent her life committed to helping others. She loved to laugh and play, to enjoy creation, to write, and to sing. Paula was born July 22, 1972 in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She later lived in Delhi, Louisiana. She attended Richland Christian Academy where she graduated as valedictorian in 1990. She then moved to Mississippi to pursue her degree in education at Mississippi College. While attending Mississippi College, Paula met her late husband, Flint Stodghill. They were married at Calvary Baptist Church in 1992. The two resided in Clinton, where they had their first daughter, Racheal. The three moved to Louisiana, and shortly after, a second daughter, Hope, was born. The family of four lived in Louisiana from 1997 to 2008. Paula taught children of all ages for 10 years in Louisiana, enriching the lives of so many kids and families along the way. Her passion for learning and helping kids, along with her dedication, made her a favorite in every school she worked in. She and the family returned to Mississippi in 2008, and she taught in Clinton for 6 more years. Toward the end of her teaching career, she became involved with His Heart Ministries, where she soon became Executive Director and began her career serving inner city Jackson. There her passion and love for children continued as she supported countless kids and families with everyday needs and more for 10 years. In 2015, after 23 years of marriage, Paula lost her husband, Flint, to cancer. Prior to this loss, she was dedicated to supporting Flint, and her family, as well as the many families of His Heart during the challenging journey that cancer brought. In 2016, she met Nate Byars, and began a relationship that allowed her to heal and envision a new future. They married in 2017 and shared 8 years together. Paula remained focused on her family, her career at His Heart, and her love for God. Paula is survived by her husband, Nate Byars of Clinton, MS; daughter and son-in-law, Chad and Racheal Blissett of Clinton, MS; daughter and partner, Hope Stodghill and Jennings Winstead of Nashville, TN; mother, Joyce Neathery of Clinton, MS; brother, Brent Neathery of Start, LA; brother, Wade Neathery of Delhi, LA; nieces and nephews: Josh Neathery, Daniel Neathery, Jovi Neathery, Brook Kollouri, Taylor Neathery; mother and father-in-law, Gerald and Jennifer Stodghill of Greenville, SC; sister-in-law, Worth Ann Nager of Greenville, SC and nieces daughters, Leigh Ann and Nikki Tucker of Atlanta, GA. Paula is also survived by many loving extended family members and dear friends
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