Paula Probst Stanley

Paula Probst Stanley, of Kosse, passed away at Limestone Medical Center in Groesbeck on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at age 85.

Visitation will be held at Groesbeck Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 15, 2021, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 16, 2021, at the First United Methodist Church in Kosse, with Dr. Rita Sims officiating.  Burial will follow in Ebenezer Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Allen Long, David Hill, Brooks Valls, Timothy Railsback, Henry Kelly, and Jared Eno.   Honorary pallbearers will be Chester “Pete” Peterson, James Railsback, Austin McCarver, John McCarver, Eddie Christiansen, and Joe McKee.

Paula was born to William Paul Probst and Margaret Lieb Probst on March 25, 1936, in North Little Rock, Arkansas.  After graduation from high school, she attended the University of Arkansas for one year, delaying the remainder of her college education until she turned 50.

Paula met Bill Stanley during a snowball fight at college and they were united in marriage on August 25, 1956.   They lived in Arkansas for a few years, with their first son, Minor born in 1957, until Bill graduated from the university in 1959.  They moved to San Angelo where their second son, Patrick was born, and then the family lived in Arkansas three years, Freeport, TX two years, and then many years in Houston.

Paula was very active with the Fair Haven Church Food Bank in Houston.   She and her sister, Peggy Probst Phelps grew so interested in collecting antiques that they rented a big U-Haul and went on the road buying antiques and opened a store on IH-10, named “The Silk Purse.”   After they closed their store, Paula became a licensed real estate broker and had a lengthy and successful career in Houston.  Her Century-21 real estate office was the largest in the Southwest.   She sold her office in late 1985, which was great timing, as the market crashed in Houston shortly thereafter.

With free time after her career, Paula enrolled in the University of Houston and at age 50 she earned a bachelor’s degree in Russian culture studies.  Her interests led her to make a trip to Russia, during a time that was not freely open to tourists as at later times.

Paula and Bill moved to Kosse in 1995, where her sister Peggy Phelps lived.   Through the years, Paula and Peggy made many trips together, including trips to Mexico, Ireland, Spain, and Southeast Asia.   From Kosse they made regular trips back to Houston for shopping and personal pampering.    Paula and Bill also enjoyed cruises.

Paula was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Kosse, and very actively involved in church activities, including serving as Treasurer of the Ladies Study Group, helping the young kids with confirmation classes, served in various positions on the Board, food service for Vacation Bible Schools and actively working for the Church Bazaar every year.   Also, she and Bill maintained the church buildings and if she saw something that needed doing, she did it.  

Paula was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Bill Stanley in 2012; her brother, M.J. Probst; her sister, Peggy Phelps; and her brother-in-law, Lyndon Phelps.

She is survived by her son, Minor Stanley of Rogers, Arkansas; son, Patrick Stanley of Salem, Massachusetts; grandson, James Stanley; nephew, Jason and his wife Jacqueline Probst; Carolyn and James Railsback; Pat and Allen Long; as well as other friends and church-family.