Paula Sue Hedge's Obituary
Paula Sue (Stine) Hedge, 47 years young, passed away at her son’s home due to her battle with esophageal cancer. She was born on April 15, 1978, to Karla Maupin and Howard Cox, and was called home March 18, 2026. She was cared for by a variety of close family members, including her Bonus Mama, Deanie Gabel, and her great-grandparents who cared for her during her adolescent years and whom she loved very dearly, Halene (Paul) Stine.
Paula is survived by her beloved husband, Brandon Christopher Hedge to whom she married on December 30, 2021; first husband, Fred Leon Stewart; second husband, Michael “Mike” Ray Howlett; third husband, William “Bill” Allen Truman Decker; children and bonus children: Tiffani Howlett (Fiancé Ian Conley), Gabriel (Brooklyn) Decker, Gage Decker (G.F. Dezarea), Jayme (Randy) Lovell, Shelby Decker, Joseph (Mckenzie) Decker, Jazmyn Massie, Linda Decker, Kaycee Decker (Deion Woodley), Brandon Decker, Stefanie (Tyler) Massie, Micheal Ray Howlett Jr., Nicholas Frashure, Tom’mesha (Shawn) White, Jeffrey Ward (Trisha Knoll), Jessie Shaffer (Fiancée Jerry Brant), Tj (Natalie) Shaffer, Abbie Froschauer; grandchildren and bonus babies: Hazley, Elena, Baby Girl Decker #1 2026, Olivia, Sophia, Kingsley, Baby Decker #2 2026, Hailey, Ian, Jackson, Elizabeth (Izzy Boo), Cecilla Ann, Keegan, Kinzlee, Ja’kyree, Ginalynn, Zay’lynn, Nolliana, Kai’lo, Kingsten, Ky’zier, Anastasia, Dayvon, Hannah, Dallas Marie, Genesus, Geneva, Dee’alynn, Paige, Dorothy, Faith, Laila, Layton, Kaseleigh, Karlie Mae, Vada, and Abel; sisters: Charmaine (Dale) Decker and JeanAnn Hollis; niece and nephew: Bethanie (David) Colman & Preston Drury; aunts and uncles: Johnny (Tracy) Stine, Bonnie Mann, Jack Winnett, Eddie (Sabrina) Stine, Roy Clay (Esther Clarus), Kelly (Shyrl) Ulrich; numerous cousins.
She is also survived by special family and friends: soul sister and best friend, Laurie Baker; “baby mama” and best friend, Melissa Massie; “wifey” and best friend, Lynn Marie Carf; and brothers-in-laws, David Shaffer & Henry Decker, who are dear friends.
Paula was preceded in death by her Grandparents: Dottie (Sonny) Winnett & John (Dodie) Stine; Aunt Treasea and baby cousin Henry; cousin, Jeanetta Stine; Aunt Jackie Johnson, Cathy Rardin, Vanessa O’neil; brother, Dj Evans; and beloved family dog, Bully Bee, whom she longed to reunite with.
Anybody that knew Paula knew her entire life revolved around her granddaughters, her children, and family. Family meant everything to her. She was also a huge animal lover of any kind as long as it wasn't a spider. She loved to decorate; she could turn any old bare thing into something absolutely beautiful and make anything feel and look like a home. She had the magic touch. She also loved to cook and bake, especially with her granddaughters. She had lots of favorites, like the colors pink and purple, and her spirit animal and favorite character, Eeyore. She was fiercely independent, even as her health failed, going shopping and going all-out on all the holidays.
Paula was a force to be reckoned with, fighting esophageal cancer and never quitting, beating the odds again and again. She was a protector of her family and shared a special bond with her grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all who have helped and supported them through this time.
Graceland/Fairlawn is providing cremation services for Paula.
Condolences and memories may be shared online at https://www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
*We Only Wanted You
They say memories are golden, well maybe that is true.
But we never wanted memories,
We just wanted you.
A million times we’ve needed you, a million times we’ve cried.
If love alone could have saved you, you never would have died.
In life we loved you dearly, in death we love you still.
In our hearts, you hold a place nobody could ever fill.
Since you’ll never be forgotten, we pledge to you today,
A hollowed place within our hearts is where you’ll always stay.
If tears could build a stairway, and heartache make a lane,
We’d walk the path to Heaven and bring you back again.
Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same.
But as God calls us one by one,
Our family will be reunited and our chain made whole again.*
What’s your fondest memory of Paula?
What’s a lesson you learned from Paula?
Share a story where Paula's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Paula you’ll never forget.
How did Paula make you smile?