Paula Joyce (Atchison) Dunmire passed away peacefully in the morning on Friday, July 6, 2018, at Saint Luke’s South Hospital surrounded by her family. She will be deeply missed and is survived by her children, Debbie (Larry) Hedenkamp and Mark (Kim) Dunmire; her four grandchildren, Ryan (Shawna) Hedenkamp, Lauren Hedenkamp, Max Dunmire, and Charlie Dunmire; and four great-grandchildren, Adalyn Hedenkamp, Reagan Hedenkamp, Preston Hedenkamp, and Emmilyn Hedenkamp; and her siblings, who include Pat (John) Bayless of Overland Park, Kansas, Margaret (Lindon) Collinsworth of Hubbard, Texas, James “Rusty” (Cheri) Atchison of Crossett, Arkansas, and Allene Graves of Hubbard, Texas. Her parents Jim and Zelma Aitchison, and her son, Michael Dunmire, preceded her in death. Paula was a good and faithful servant of the Lord and a longtime active member of the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection.

Born in Malone, Texas on June 21, 1936, she was a Texas girl at heart, which was reflected in the little touches around her home and garden and in her paintings of bluebonnets. She graduated from Hubbard High School in Hubbard, Texas in 1954 and was homecoming queen. She went on to graduate nursing school at the Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Waco, Texas, affiliated with Baylor University in 1957.

In 1960 she moved to Kansas City, Kansas, which became her longtime home. Paula started her career in Obstetrics and Gynecology as Head Nurse at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The later part of her career was focused on Gerontology. She was a committed caregiver to others in her work, as well as her personal life. A prolific volunteer, she was involved in everything from a bowling league to the school health room. She headed many committees at Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community, and at which she deeply enjoyed her friendships and community. Paula was dedicated to her friendships and family, and she always made time for anyone who invited her to participate in a meal or an activity. Paula will be greatly missed, and there will be a void in all of the communities and the hearts of the people who she touched. She now shines down on all who love and miss her.

On Saturday, July 14, 2018, the visitation will take place at 12:00 p.m. with the service beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection Wesley Covenant Chapel, 13720 Roe Avenue, Leawood, Kansas 66224, with a reception to follow. Flowers are gladly appreciated or contributions in memory of Paula may be made to her favorite charity: Kansas City Hospice House https://www.kchospice.org/hospice-house/.

Paula committed the last decade of her life to Tallgrass Creek Retirement Community. It is with extremely grateful hearts that Paula’s family thanks all of the friends and staff that loved and cared for her, especially the staff at Blue Sage Pointe continuing care neighborhood and Dr. R. Eldwin Dunn for their unwavering support and excellent care. Her children and grandchildren will forever walk with her admonition that “pretty is as pretty does” and “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”