Stephanie Paulk

Stephanie Ann Paulk, 38, died on Tuesday, November 30, surrounded by her family and loved ones. Stephanie lived most of her life in Atlanta, GA, and was a graduate of The Westminster Schools, Columbia University in New York City, and Emory Law School. Stephanie was elected to the Emory International Law Review and served a term as its Managing Executive Editor. She interned in the summer of 2000 at the Permanent Court of Arbitration, The Hague, Netherlands. After graduation from law school, Stephanie became an associate at the law firm of McKenna Long & Aldridge. After leaving the firm, Stephanie joined the staff of the United States Bankruptcy Court and became law clerk to Honorable James E. Massey until she became disabled from illness.

Stephanie’s true passion was her artistic work as a poet and performer. A writer from an early age, Stephanie published her poems and creative works in school publications and literary journals. Writing and performing as JS Van Buskirk, she published the poetry collection, Just Ain’t Got No Hustle: Assorted Poems, and the short story collection, Tiny Bedtime Stories. Stephanie performed as JS at ArtSpot and Eyedrum Galleries in Atlanta, appeared at the Decatur Book Festival, had many followers on Twitter and on her websites, and was featured in Creative Loafing. Most recently, as JS, she wrote the text and lyrics for the multi-media collaboration, Unless and Until, which has been presented at prominent galleries in Atlanta, GA, Jackson, MS, Memphis, TN, and Sewanee, TN. A retrospective of Stephanie/JS’s works is presented at http://jsvanbuskirk.com/JSvanBuskirk/Welcome.html.

Stephanie is survived by her loving husband, Randy Prunty, her parents, Mr. and Mrs. James R. Paulk, Jr., and her sisters, Elizabeth Paulk and Julia Paulk.

A memorial service will be held at H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill on Friday, the third of December at one o’clock in the afternoon. The family will receive friends one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either the Hope Lodge, 411 2nd Street, Rochester, MN 55901; or Palliative Care Fund, Parkland Foundation, 2777 N. Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1700, Dallas, TX 75207.

Arrangements under the direction of H.M. Patterson & Son, Spring Hill in Atlanta, GA.