Irma Paulk

Irma Sliva Paulk, 91, of Waco, passed away Friday, August 5, 2011. A memorial mass will be held at 12:05 p.m Friday, August 12 at St. Louis Catholic Church. Burial will be private and held at a later date. Visitation with Irma's family will begin at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, August 11 at OakCrest Funeral Home followed by a rosary being recited at 7 p.m. in the OakCrest Funeral Home Chapel.

Irma was born September 2, 1919 to Frank Antone Sliva and Wilhemena Braden Sliva of Lott. She graduated from Lott High School in 1936 and from Providence Hospital School of Nursing in 1940. Mrs. Paulk was a registered nurse for 45 years working in Borger, the Waco V.A. Hospital, North American Aviation of Waco, Hillcrest Hospital and Dr. Marstaller in Waco finally retiring after working 18 years for Dr. Malcolm MacRae. She was married to George W. Paulk, Jr. for 18 years.

Mrs. Paulk was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church since 1964 and St. Mary's Parrish before that. She was a member of St. Louis Women's Society for over 25 years as president for 2 terms from 1989 through 1991 and President of St. Theresa's Circle for 3 years. She was also a member of St. Veronica's Circle and served as president, Chairman of Grace Hall from 1995 through 2003. She also belonged to the Diocese of Catholic Women and National Council of Catholic Women and Sul Ross Senior Center where she was very active in the arts program.

Mrs. Paulk had many hobbies including painting, reading, gardening, sewing, crocheting and knitting. Many of her paintings earned awards at the Heart of Texas Fair & Rodeo.

Above all, Mrs. Paulk was a woman of faith who found strength in her church and her church community. This faith and her indomitable will are part of the legacies she leaves her family.

Irma was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Leona Milberger; and four brothers, Fred, Emanuel, Eddie and Reuben Sliva.

She is survived by her children: son, George William Paulk, III; two daughters, Sandra Knebel and husband, Larry and Patricia Paulk; four grandchildren, William Paulk and wife, Jenny, Byron Paulk, Dr. Michael Wakin and wife, Dr. Megan MacNeil, Jason Wakin and wife, Katy; five great grandchildren, Olivia and Sophie Paulk and Denver and Brita Wakin and Michael Wakin; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to express their gratitude and appreciation to the staff at Hillcrest Hospice for their love and care.

In lieu of floral arrangements, memorials may be directed to Hillcrest Hospice or to St. Louis Catholic Church.