Obituary of Cynthia Ellen Pauley

Cynthia Ellen Pauley, age 90, passed away peacefully on Tuesday February 6, 2018. She was born April 30, 1927 in Charleston, West Virginia, to Amos and Hester Totten and was the second of five children. Cynthia had a gorgeous voice from a young age which garnered her a spot at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. At Morris Harvey College in West Virginia, she met the handsome Marine Walter Owen Pauley, and they were married soon after.

In the late 1950’s Cynthia and Walter moved their new family to Houston, Texas from Charleston, West Virginia. They found a home in West University Place and a church home at First Baptist Downtown Houston. The couple served a number of congregations throughout their life and felt a special calling towards mission work. Feeling the desire to reach out and make a difference, they decided to visit the small mission church which was supported by First Baptist, Bethel Baptist Chapel in the Montrose area. They quickly became leaders at the church and life long friends of Pastor Charles Marsh, wife Ann and family.

In 1975, Cynthia and Walter moved to Wellford, South Carolina, where they continued to work in interior design and opened an antique shop called Whitegate Antiques. In 1983, Cynthia lost her beloved husband and moved to Isle of Palms, on the South Carolina coast, where she lived and worked until hurricane Hugo swept through in 1989. Although her house was one of the few spared on the island, she decided it was time to move back to Texas. Cynthia moved to Walden on Lake Conroe, and enjoyed many years with lots of grandchildren and family. She enjoyed singing with the Walden Community Church choir, and was still singing with perfect pitch in her final days!

Cynthia is survived by siblings Betty Colby, Richard (Sandy) Totten, and Larry (Donna) Totten; children Randall (Sharon) Pauley, Melissa (Yasser) Nasr, Sarah (Ronnie) Kelly, Martha (Gary) Troutman; grandchildren Ashley Pauley, Cynthia Kathleen Pauley, Randall Pauley Jr., Zachary Nasr, Farris Nasr, Alexander Nasr, Meghann Kelly, Nathaniel Kelly, Geoffrey Kelly, Caroline Pauley, Lucia Troutman, Ina Troutman, John Walter Troutman, and Matthew Troutman.

In addition to husband Walter, she was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Pauley; and brother Robert Totten.

Cynthia will be remembered for opening her heart and her home to anyone in need. A memorial service will be held Friday, February 9, 2018 at 1pm at Walden Community Church, 12400 Walden Road, Montgomery, Texas.