Wanda Sue Paulk, 88, of Abilene passed away Tuesday, July 9, 2024, in an Abilene care center. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Bailey Howard Funeral Home Chapel in Clyde with Pastor Dave Takacs officiating. Burial will follow in Clyde Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home on Saturday.

Wanda was born September 5, 1935, in Brownfield to Robert Henry and Velma (Campbell) Carey. She attended Sweetwater High School and married J.W. Paulk in Sweetwater on June 30, 1952. She previously worked at Bowie Elementary for a few years and helped with Wednesday night meals at a local Abilene church. She was a homemaker, wife and mother and took care of her husband when he became sick and couldn't work in the early 1980's. Wanda loved reading and she took her children to the local library when she could to instill the love of reading in them. She was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan and we all learned not to say anything bad about her Cowboys. She loved her family dearly and made sure that her children went to church so that they were introduced to Jesus. We all loved listening to her sing hymns while cooking and doing housework and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by one son, Mitchell Paulk and wife Dr. JoAnne Paulk of Rising Star; two daughters, Teresa Goodale of Marion and Tracy Roberts and husband Rodney of Abilene; one sister, Patsy Laird of Gatesville; four grandsons, Richard Goodale and wife Mandi of Marion, Eric Escalona of Abilene, Tyler Roberts of Abilene and Matthew Paulk and wife Janiesa of Rising Star; three granddaughters, Julie Escalona of Abilene, Jessalynn Cherry and husband Raymond of San Angelo and Taylor Roberts of Abilene; fourteen great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Wanda was preceded in death by her husband, J.W.; her parents, Henry and Velma Carey; her sister, Henrietta Kemper; her brother, Wendell Carey; her son, Dennis Paulk and her daughter, Brenda Escalona.

The family would like to invite everyone to wear their Dallas Cowboy gear or their colors in honor of Wanda's love for them.