Westville, FL-TSGT (RET) Edward Robert Paulin, Sr., formerly of Renick, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2014. He was 79.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, Jan. 12 in the chapel of Sorrells Funeral Home in Geneva where Rev. Jerry Moore and Rev. Jerry McAdams officiated. His brother-in-law, Larry Hewett delivered the eulogy. Burial with military honors followed in the Cedar Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery with Sorrells Funeral Home and Crematory of Geneva, AL directing.
The family received friends at the funeral home Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11.
Robert was born Dec. 28, 1934, in Renick, to the late Vincent and Luella Blankenship Paulin.
He, along with his family, lived on Butler’s Mountain in West Virginia until the age of 16 at which time he joined the U.S. Army. After his three year term with the Army he reenlisted with the U.S. Air Force and later retired with more than 20 years of service. During his military career he completed tours in Germany, Korea, Turkey and the Phillipines. Even though he called himself a West Virginia “hillbilly” he loved Holmes County and that is where he called home. For a number of years he worked with PAEC in Chipley, FL and later retired as a fire and safety inspector working with the Florida State Fire Marshal’s office inspecting schools for 15 different districts. In his spare time he enjoyed hunting, fishing and working on small engines, but most of all spending time with his grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by: four brothers, Alex, Jim, Bartley and Lewis Paulin, along with his mother and father-in-law, L.D. and Gardis Barnes Crews, whom he loved like his own parents, brother and sisters-in-law, Joe Ketchem, Marie Hewett, Evelyn Crews and Marie Paulin.
Survivors include: his wife of 52 years, Frances Crews Paulin, Westville, FL; son, Edward R. “Bobby” Paulin, Jr. and wife Vicki; daughter, Kim Griffin and husband Derryl, all of Bonifay, FL; three grandchildren, Justin Paulin, Megan and Kaylin Griffin; two sisters, Frances Musselman (Larry), Renick and Lucy Paulin, Pittsburgh, PA; special cousin, Corrine Grizzell (Joe), Lewisburg; sister-in-law, Gladys Paulin, Renick; several nieces and nephews; his extended Crews family siblings, Christine C. Ketchem, Hulon, Clifton (Judy), Tommy (Linda), Ann C. Burk and two that were like his own children, Sherel and Rick; brother-in-law, Larry Hewett (Deana); special family friend, Jasmine Flock; and other extended family and friends.
Sorrells Funeral Home of Geneva, 334-684-9999, was in charge of arrangements. Express your condolences in our guest book at www.sorrellsfuneralhomes.com.