Paulette L. Pafford

Paulette Lawrence Pafford, 70, of Gainesville passed away Saturday July 14, 2018.  Paulette was born on February 8, 1948 at Downey Hospital in Gainesville, to Anthony E. and Pauline Lawrence.

Paulette claimed with enthusiasm Gainesville and the Lake Lanier area as home.  She attended Lyman Hall and Main Street (and returned to teach there alongside her first teachers Ms. Bobbie Murphy and Polly Brookshire in her first year of teaching). Notably, her first third grade class included Ben Mason who is now providing services on her behalf. After graduating from North Georgia College, Dahlonega, she began her prized career.

After marriage to Tom Pafford, she taught at BB Harris in Gwinnett County. She resumed her God given teaching talents after a long sabbatical to raise her children, Thomas Scott and Mary Katherine.  Fulton County Schools became her next employer and she taught 4th and 5th Grades for the next twenty years. She was famous for being stern but fair. That was her calling card. Her reputation caused parents of prospective students to push toward her classroom or avoid it like a briar patch. It was frequently heard in her classroom, “If you are going to succeed, you need to get in the boat and row.”

Preceding her in death, her parents Anthony Eugene and Pauline Lawrence. Lake Lanier and boating was a passion only surpassed by her love and nurturing of her grandchildren: Thomas Alexander and Reece Anthony Pafford and Lily Katherine and Molly Harper Gossett.

An active parishioner, Paulette attended St. Michaels, Gainesville, St. Thomas Aquinas, Roswell and Good Shepherd Catholic Churches. The Mass of Resurrection co-celebrated by Rev. Diosmar Natad and Rev. James Harrison will be Tuesday, July 17, at Good Shepherd Church, 3740 Holtzclaw Rd, Cumming GA at 11 am.

Sisters, Patricia Harwell, Gainesville, Frances Savage, Leesburg, VA , Mary Lawrence, Gainesville and brother Tony Lawrence, Gainesville. Daughter in law, Marie Swahn Pafford, Peachtree City GA and son in law, Barron Gossett, Charleston SC.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Seasons Hospice, or to your favorite charity.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Hwy., Gainesville, is in charge of arrangements.?