Remembering and Honoring Paula Barnes (1960 – 2021)
Our hearts are still heavy from the loss of our Board President, Paula Barnes (1960 – 2021). She inspired us all with her leadership, compassion, and warmth. Paula lifted us all up. We will hold her spirit and energy close to our hearts as we mourn the loss of a leader, a mentor, and a friend.
Her obituary was recently published and talked about her incredibly beautiful singing voice, her leadership ability and career in law firm administration, being an avid Nashville Predators fan (and loving all sports), and her love of family as an auntie to many.
The obituary indicates that a video memorial service will be held in a few weeks. We are so honored that Paula’s family has included Safe Haven in honoring Paula’s memory by indicating that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Safe Haven Family Shelter.
At Safe Haven’s recent Board meeting, we spent a few moments remembering Paula and her role at Safe Haven.
Board President Ken Williamson said, “Paula was one of the most genuinely nice people I have ever met. She loved Safe Haven and the Preds very much! She had great respect for everyone and was a great leader. I will miss her very much!”
Safe Haven CEO Joyce Lavery said, “Paula has been a part of the Safe Haven family for 8 years – first as a volunteer and a donor to a board member to serving as its secretary and over the past year as its president. As the CEO, Paula provided me with guidance, insight, and friendship. She was a fierce advocate for Safe Haven. I always went to bat for staff and their well-being and Paula was always right there with me – she’d always ask, “what more should/could we do to support everyone?”. We are all better off because of her leadership. I will miss her smile, her goodwill, and her dedication.”
Please click here to see visuals from the memorial we shared at the Board meeting. We invite you to add your own memories and thoughts of Paula here on this blog post, on the post on our Facebook or LinkedIn outlets or on the site of Paula’s obituary. And we hope you will consider a memorial donation in Paula’s honor to Safe Haven.
