HENLEY, Paula Lou
74, passed away on October 24, 2016 from cancer. Paula was born July 13, 1942 in Wichita, Kansas. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Jim Henley and her parents, Paul Richard and Virginia Lee Welch. Paula leaves behind her brother, Scott Welch (Claudette); her uncle, Larry Brown (Carrie) and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Paula was in the first graduating class from Rincon High School (1960). Rincon had a contest for art students to create the logo for the school. Paula submitted the Ranger hat and boots design and won. In 2014, the Rincon Ranger Foundation inducted her into the Rincon Hall of Fame and awarded her with a bronze replica of her design. Paula was the featured twirler at Rincon and one of seven twirlers at the University of Arizona. The twirlers wore a letter on their costumes that spelled out Arizona. Paula wore the "O". She got her bachelor's degree in fine arts and her master's in special education. While in college, Paula was chosen as Miss Pima County in 1961 and Miss Arizona in 1962. She competed in the Miss America pageant in Atlantic City exhibiting her twirling and fire baton skills. She won first place and a scholarship for her talent on the night she competed. Paula taught elementary school in California and later held a position as director of an adult special education facility. Paula was always very creative. She made beautiful jewelry, paintings, appliques and lovely quilts. She was a very gentle and sweet person and will be greatly missed! Heaven has a new saint! In honor of Paula's love for animals, donations may be made to the Tucson Wildlife Center, 13275 E. Speedway, Tucson, AZ 85748.