Paula Rae Sebesta

Paula Rae Sebesta, age 89, made her final move through the gates of Heaven on June 16, 2018. She was born in Three Sands, Oklahoma, January 27, 1929, to Samuel and Pauline Dillard. She moved to Hobbs, NM, after graduation in 1945, and married Roy Sebesta in 1947. They retired in Fredericksburg, Texas, in 1982, and were blessed with 55 years of marriage. Roy worked for Shell Oil Company, a career that required them to move thirty-two times throughout Texas, New Mexico and Utah. Paula loved serving the Lord in the many places they lived, serving as the State Director of Baptist Women and on the Board of Directors for the Utah-Idaho Southern Baptist Convention in Salt Lake City. In 1980, while living in Houston, she participated in Tallowood Baptist Church’s TELL (Tallowood English Learning League) program, mentoring a Japanese mother and daughter, who returned to Japan in the mid-80’s. Paula continued to remain in contact with the family. She served as Women’s Missionary Director and Sunday School Director for many years at First Baptist Church, Fredericksburg, Texas. In 2002, she moved to San Angelo, where she was a member of the Joy Sunday School class at First Baptist Church. She also served several years in the Christian Women’s Job Corps program. Paula was an excellent cook, seamstress, and hostess. She was an active member of Beta Sigma Phi for over 50 years holding every office and serving on every committee in twelve cities and three states. Preceding her in death were her father, Samuel (three months prior to her birth) mother, Pauline Disney; husband, Roy, brothers, Lester Beihl, Wayne and Charles Disney, and sister, Dawna Freeman. Paula is survived by three sisters-- Wanda Boles, Carlsbad, NM; Wilma Smith, San Mateo, CA; and Beth Lynch, Hobbs, NM; three daughters-- Vicki Spangler (Fil) of San Antonio, Terri Wayham (Bruce) of San Angelo, and Kelli Freeman (Ted) of Houston; ten grandchildren-- Rodney Spangler, Lori Spangler, Haylee, Ashlee, Chase and Carson Freeman, Chelsee Stickeler, Erin Medley, Casey Blair, and Brek Wayham; eleven great-grandchildren and two great-great grands; along with numerous nieces and nephews including Paula Mary (Beihl) Marie “One of the secrets of life is to find joy in the journey.” Paula found and shared joy throughout her life journey. Services are Friday, June 22, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at Harper Funeral Home, with burial to follow on June 23, 2018, in Fredericksburg, Texas.