Paula Olivia Preston

"PLEASE AT THE REQUEST OF THE FAMILY, SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE PRACTICED AND WEARING A MASK IS MANDATORY"

Paula Olivia Preston was born to the late Riley Preston, Sr. and Annie Bell Preston on December 26, 1967, in Ocala, Fl. She passed away on August 11, 2021. She gave her life to Christ at an early age and was baptized at Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church; she participated in the Youth Choir, Sunday School, and other activities at church.  Whenever Mrs. Thelma Parker drove up in the yard in that big blue car, she jumped right in because she knew she was headed to the church to sing.

She was a graduate of Forest High School and received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors in Political Science and  Public Administration on April 26, 2000 from Florida A & M University. She was the most beautiful and sweetest person anyone would ever want to meet. She loved to sing and loved listening to music.

She was employed with the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity as an Economic Research Associate. She was employed with the state of Florida for 33 years.

Paula was a Christian and lived her life showing and giving love to everybody she came in contact with. During her last days in the hospital, she sang and praised God. She was an encourager and always kept a beautiful smile. She was an awesome and loving mother, a loving sister, a good daughter, and a wonderful friend. If you were down about anything, she was the person you wanted to talk to. She didn’t focus on what you were going through but reminded you that God was bigger than whatever it was.

Her love for her daughter Ashley was none other than amazing. She would always say, Ashley you’re blessed and highly favored. She took her to the voting booth when she was in the first grade so she would understand how important it was to vote and have a voice in the community. She instilled in her the importance of getting an education to make a difference in the world. She taught Ashley how to be kind and humble when facing any opposition, and to always thank God. To the end, she talked about how good God is. 

We will never forget the love and support from Ashley’s father, Curtis Williams and his mother Voncea Brusha. He was there to pray with Paula, supported her and provided support for the family. If we had ten thousands tongues we couldn’t say thank you enough for the love that was shown.

Her sweet daughter and each of us will miss Paula dearly, but we know that she has gone to a better place. We love you Paula.

She leaves to cherish memories of life: her beautiful and loving daughter, Ashley Williams of Tallahassee, Ashley’s father, Curtis Williams of Tallahassee, her loving mother, Mrs. Annie Bell Preston of Ocala; siblings: a twin brother, Paul (Daphne) Preston, Sr., Sheddrick Preston both of Ocala, Walter (Teresa) Preston of Montgomery, AL, Frenchie (Ronald, Sr.) Hampton of West Palm Beach, Lydia Darnes of Pensacola, Claudette Preston and  Marese (Sheryl) Preston both of Ocala; one aunt, Jeanette Jones of Ocala; a host of loving and praying cousins, nieces, nephews and many loving friends.

Public viewing for Ms. Paula Preston will be Friday, August 20, 2021 from 12:00 PM until 6:00 PM at Summers Funeral Home, 2238 NW 10th Street. Ocala, FL. 34475.

Celebration of Life services will be held on Saturday, August 21, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church, 55 SW 3rd Avenue, Ocala, FL 34471.

Interment will follow in Chestnut Cemetery.

Condolences can be signed at www.Summersfh.com

"PLEASE AT THE REQUEST OF THE FAMILY, SOCIAL DISTANCING WILL BE PRACTICED AND WEARING A MASK IS MANDATORY"

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