Paula Wykes Obituary

Paula Lynn Wykes, 64, of Horton, MI passed away peacefully on June 26, 2025 at the Hospice Home in Jackson, MI. Paula was born in Savannah, TN to Marilyn Hill and Herman Roger Shelby. She was a loving, caring person that was also a mother figure to her younger siblings; she took her siblings to church and facilitated their baptisms.
Paula had to grow up young; the family moved to Chicago for a few years living in an apartment above a furniture store, then to Michigan. She got her GED and worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield for many years, with another role later as director of the Litchfield Library which she enjoyed. Paula loved to read and write; she wrote and published a book titled, "Dancing Through Life", and would have loved to continue being an author. Paula was very religious and a devout Christian. She often volunteered at her church and facilitated Bible studies, women's groups, and Thanksgiving meals. She loved vacationing in Mackinac, St. Ignace and visiting friends up north.
Paula was a wonderful grandma that loved to come to activities and birthdays for the grandkids, as well as nieces and nephews. She also loved her dogs Midnight and Sela, and loved to garden.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Don Wykes, former husband, Steven Berry, father, Roger, and stepfather, Jerry Hill. She is survived by her mother, Marilyn Hill, previous spouse, Epiy Torres, her loving partner, Jon Pengra, her daughters, Christina Torres, Christin Berry, Breanne (Glenn) Curry, and Amanda (Donny) Whitehill. She loved her grandchildren Stone, Liz, Caitlyn, Rowan, Emmerson, and Everett, as well as Alex and Adilyn. She is also survived by her siblings, Rita Pelot, Debbie (Andy) Clay, and Jake Dixon.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Wednesday, July 2, 2025 from 11 AM until the time of the service at 12 PM at New Horizons Community Church 4300 Lansing Ave, Jackson, MI 49201 with snacks and refreshments to follow. In accordance with Paula's wishes, cremation will take place after the services.
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