Paula Elaine (Ahlerich) Burton

Born in Winfield, Kansas to Earl and Leta Ahlerich (Pronounced ALL Rich) on November 18, 1944. Her house was modest to say the least without a bathroom which was located at 501 E. 15th Ave. in Winfield.

Behind the house was a small communal bathroom with one commode and running water. There was also a metal bath tub for bathing stored on the side of the building.

At that time, Winfield had no street gutters and simply built the streets with a 12-inch vertical curb so when it rained, the water simply ran down the whole street sometimes 12 inches deep.

Paula’s mother always maintained a garden of tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, onions and corn, etc. to ensure that the family had food. The family also maintained a chicken coop insuring they had eggs and meat. Earl and Leta also made their own lye soap.

For several years Paula’s mother Leta washed cloths for other people at her grandmother’s house until finally her father Earl added a small back porch and installed a wringer washing machine. All the clothes were hung on clothesline to dry.

Paula and other kids in the neighborhood would play on the railroad tracks behind her grandmother’s house.

In 1957 when Paula turned 13 in the 9th grade, the family moved to Elk City, Oklahoma because her father got a different job - except for her older brother Leon. He remained behind in Winfield at the old house so he could finish high school. Her father did not want to sell the old house. They now lived with her mother’s Aunt Clara in Elk City. It was a two-bedroom house with one bathroom which was in a sort of closed in front porch. Paula slept in a day bed located in the living room while her younger brother Duane slept in that closed in area of the front porch.

When they were in Winfield, her parents drove a 1929 4-door Plymouth that actually had wooden spoked wheels. In 1954, her dad bought a two-toned green Pontiac Chieftain.

In 1960, her dad followed the company he worked for when they moved to Ft. Worth, Texas. She began as a sophomore going to Polytechnic High School. In 1961 she met Wayne Burton, her husband-to-be in English class and over the next two years dated until they graduated in 1962 when they became engaged. A year later on March 2, 1963 they were married at one of Wayne’s aunts house and have been together ever since.

During her working career at American Airlines, Paula decided to go to college and at the age of 55 received a Bachelor of Science degree. Three years later in 2002, through hard work and further studies, she became a very prestigious Certified Purchasing Manager at American Airlines. At that time, she was the ONLY FEMALE CPM in the USA.

They had one son Christopher born in 1968 but unfortunately, he passed away from Covid in 2021 leaving his faithful wife Donna of 30 years and his three sons Tyler, Collin, and Travis.

After Paula’s and Wayne’s first 46 years, they renewed their actual original vows with Jarrod Robinson officiating.

Paula was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis 7 years ago in 2019 and was not expected to live past the fourth year. Paula had always wanted to travel so after that diagnosis, Paula and Wayne began traveling around the world enjoying many cruises through the Caribbean Islands, South America, Hawaii, and Europe. Over a dozen cruises in all and eight separate flight excursions to European countries such as Spain, England, Norway, France, Monaco, and Portugal, then Japan, and the Island of Saipan, plus Montreal and Quebec. Sadly, her illness finally reached a stage leaving her unable to travel any longer or she would have continued.

In the later few years she devoted her total attention to her grandsons and her daughter-in-law Donna Burton and made sure they had every opportunity (financially or otherwise) to further their educations and follow their dreams. She never (NEVER) ever let anything get in the way of her friends and especially her family from being happy and in no way would they be distressed for any reason.

Her heart was full and completed with the love from her family. She always insured each family member never had to worry about anything she could help them with.

On her last evening on this earth, she asked the question “Am I saved?” and her daughter-in-law Donna helped her navigate that issue filling her mind and her heart with the right answers and a solemn prayer of confession and repentance.

Her last moments were spent in the spirit and presence of God with the holy spirit within her and is now resting in Jesus.