Paula Lucas Montgomery

Tampa, Florida, 1943 - 2024

Paula Montgomery passed away on February 2nd, 2024, at age 80, just shy of her 81st birthday. She went peacefully in the presence of her husband of 57 years, Robert Montgomery, and her eldest daughter, Kate Lilly.

Paula Annette Lucas was born to Helen Jane (Osborn) and Paul Lucas on February 20th, 1943 in Pine Bluff, AR. She was preceded in death by her older sister, Nancy Owens (Fayetteville, AR).

She married Robert Christopher Montgomery in 1967. She is survived by Robert (Tampa, FL) and their three children, Robert (Patricia; Atlanta, GA), Kate (John; Austin, TX), and Sarah (Mark; Singapore); their grandchildren Robby, Ava, Ella, Remy, and Luca.

Paula graduated from Stuttgart High School in 1962 and was known and loved by many of her classmates who elected her homecoming queen in the 9th grade. She went on to attend the University of Central Arkansas, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education in 1966. She also received a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University. She taught for many years in elementary and middle schools, in both Philadelphia and Atlanta to help Robert further his education.

Paula established herself as an artist early on when she sang made up songs to her mother, at age 4. She played the ukulele, and favored folk music often singing Joan Biaz to her family and friends.

She was also a gifted designer and sketch artist. She renovated and redecorated many of her homes and had an eye for making things warm and beautiful. She often sketched personalized cards for family birthdays and delighted her family with renditions of the Ferd family, who were imaginative, witty, and eccentric characters. They were as wonderfully colorful as she herself was.

She was an avid reader, bridge player, and traveler, always seeking to know more about the world. She was adventurous and lived in many places including Los Angeles, CA, Thomasville, GA, Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, and Quito, Ecuador before moving to Florida. She loved Edna St. Vincent Millay, and particularly “Renascence”, which provided her with comfort, hope, and optimism as she prepared for death.

She was a beautiful woman, wife, mother, and friend, who always put others before herself, and never said an unkind word. She lived life on her own terms; she was highly principled, had a strong faith, and never wavered.

Paula was truly a magnificent woman, who was dearly loved and respected by all those who knew her. Many will remember her strong wit, compassion, strength, optimism, and brilliant sense of humor. We will miss her dearly.

Burial at the Osborn family gravesite in Jonesboro, AR is planned in the spring, followed by a Celebration of Life ceremony at the Peabody Hotel, 149 Union Ave, Memphis, TN.