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Longtime volunteer celebrates 90th birthday
Our Town column
PALESTINE — More than 250 family and friends were invited to join in the 90th birthday celebration of Paula Price Jett on Aug. 29 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palestine.
An article about Jett and her volunteer spirit appeared in the Palestine Herald-Press in 2007. At that time she had been diagnosed with stage four lymphoma cancer and was undergoing chemo-therapy at M.D. Anderson. She was called “the miracle grandma” when her oncologist declared her “cancer free” after only six of eight courses of treatment.
Jett was born in Purdon and is the sole surviving sibling of her family of seven brothers and five sisters. Her marriage to Samuel A. Price in 1940 was also celebrated at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The couple was blessed with five sons, all born in Palestine between 1941 and 1948. Damien and Justin and their wives live near Willis. Harry and his family live in Houston. Farrald and Gregory, third and fourth sons, died at 53 years and 20 days, respectively. She also has nine grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
In 1951 the family moved to Freeport where her husband worked as a conductor for the Missouri Pacific Railroad. Jett taught third grade at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Catholic School where their sons were educated. Later, she owned and operated a day care center, Paula’s Playhouse, and was licensed to care for 35 children. She operated this business for 10 years before selling the business to an employee. Her innate ability to work with children has earned her the endearing title of “Nani” throughout this and other communities.
In 1965, she took a temporary position replacing an ill railroad employee in Sugar Land. This became a permanent occupation and she later relocated back to Palestine where she became a senior freight claims investigator. She retired from the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1984, and has been working as a volunteer ever since.
Over the years she has served as Pilot’s Club vice-president; member of Business and Professional Women’s Club; president of Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus, Council 1323; and, vice-president and secretary of the Parish Council of Sacred Heart. She has taught seniors and eighth graders in the CCD and CCE religion classes, and served as a Lector for 12 years. She has been a hospice volunteer, a Red Cross volunteer, taught English to Hispanics, worked at the Stock Pot and delivered for Meals on Wheels. Jett has spent the last nine years volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank and Thrift Store and will continue this work as long as her health permits her to.
During the past 20 years, she and her second husband, Steen Jett, played and danced with the Holy City Strummers Ukulele Band. They were the groups’ dancers and waltzed at numerous senior centers and nursing homes throughout East Texas. The band performed and Paula and Steen danced in Branson, Mo. theaters twice.
She and Steen spent several summers as tourist site hosts in Colorado and Wyoming, wowing the crowds with their dancing skills. They traveled throughout much of the United States via motor home. She also has toured Ireland and the Holy Land in the past few years.
“Throughout her entire life God has blessed her and sustained her through many illnesses and tribulations. She is incredibly thankful for His faithfulness and all who joined in this celebration and hopes they will attend her 100th,” a news release said.
Morrow, Robinson reunion
The Morrow and Robinson family reunion will be held today and Saturday. A fish fry will be held at the Morrow Quarters today. The reunion will resume on Saturday at the Green Bay Community Center in Tucker at 2 p.m.
The theme for this year’s reunion is “Celebrating 15 Years.” Family and friends are welcome to this event.
Bishop family reunion
The Dan Bishop family reunion will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Lakeview Methodist Encampment near Palestine.
Family members are asked to bring food, family, drinks, napkins, ice, etc. No pets will be allowed.
For more information contact Marion Starr at 903-764-5561.
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