Paula Gayle Johnson (Gulley)

We are deeply saddened to share the loss of Paula Gayle Johnson (Gulley), beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, and friend. Paula, 60, of Pampa, passed on May 11, 2026, at Palo Pinto General Hospital in Mineral Wells, Texas, surrounded by her family.

Local services for Paula will be announced by Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors and Crematory at a later date.

Paula is preceded in death by her, son Michael Matthew “Matt” “Thunderbear” Heiskell (McGill); daughter, Casey Elizabeth McGill; grandson, Nathan Ryan Stringer; father, Robert Gayle Gulley; grandparents, Harmon Orville Heiskell and Elizabeth Ray Earp Heiskell; uncles, Larry Orville and Teddy Lynn Heiskell; and longtime partner, Michael Dewayne “Pops” Cox.

Paula is survived by her loving children, Natasha Nicole McGill Henderson and husband Kerry Henderson of Houston, Ashley Dawn Heiskell and significant other Robert Russell Lee of Missouri, Jacob Boyd Johnson (Markley) of Amarillo; mother, Vicki Heiskell of Pampa; sister, Heather Dawn Heiskell of Dallas/Fort Worth and her children, Gabriel Ryan, Hunter Joseph-Ladell, Haley Elizabeth; Paula is also survived by her five grandchildren, Victoria Elizabeth Stringer, Neveah Delores-Genesis and Teyah Nicole Henderson, Christian Ray Martin, and Caden Sailor Davis.

Paula was born on April 13, 1966, in Pampa, Texas to parents Vicki Ruth Heiskell of Pampa and Robert Gayle Gulley of Munday, Texas. Vicki remembers Paula as a happy child, a fierce big sister, with beauty that made her look like a doll during her school years, framed by her beautiful curly hair she will be remembered for.

She loved jazz and tap dancing and singing. She adored animals, especially puppies and even had a pet duck. From an early age, her creativity was unmistakable, as she would often get in trouble for coloring walls and her love of art carried on throughout life, she loved music, and creating art if only to put a smile on someone’s face. She was a collector of treasures, finding beauty and value in humble places and small things like a feather, a leaf, and scraps of paper, finding joy in creating with her hands for the people she loved.

Her children recall her hands themselves as being beautiful. Paula was deeply successful in things that matter most in life-in the purity of her heart, the warmth and kindness she extended to others so freely, and her intimate and personal relationship with Jesus. She approached her life’s many challenges with childlike faith and wonder, and authenticity, staying true to the things that spoke to her regardless of status or appearance. She was a soldier in her own way, continuing to love deeply, laugh freely, and finding beauty and strength, even after life had given her reasons not to.

Paula was known by many friends as being genuine and inviting with a warmth that made people feel understood and connected to her. The light in her eyes danced and she had an award-winning smile that made everyone who knew her see her as beautiful.

She loved her children, not only with a love mothers are known for, but with a deep appreciation for exactly who they were, their quirks, small nuances, and all the pieces that made them uniquely themselves. She was a warm and safe place for them to land, no matter where life took them.

It is with deep sorrow that her family has chosen not to have services at this time, but in the future. In lieu of flowers or donations for the family please contact her daughter Ashley at 660-216-4190.