Our beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, sister-in-law, aunt, and friend, Paula Devereux Drayton Durrant, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2018 in Cedar City, Utah, after a prolonged battle with Lewy Body Dementia.
Paula was born to William Henry Drayton, Jr. and Norma Johnstone Drayton on April 5, 1941 in Washington, D.C. Paula’s fondest childhood memories included spending time with her cousins on the farm in Vermont and summers at Camp Fernwood in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. She attended Groveton High School in Alexandria, Virginia, where she was editor of the school newspaper and involved in various clubs and activities.
At the age of 16, Paula joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She remained a faithful member, holding various callings throughout her lifetime. She loved the gospel and patterned her life after the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Paula attended Brigham Young University where she studied English and French. It was here that she began dating her future husband David R. Durrant. They married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 22, 1961. She and David raised seven children and opened their hearts and home to many others along the way.
Paula was a nurturing and compassionate person. She enjoyed creating a warm and inviting home. Decorating for holidays and cooking delicious meals for her friends and family was her specialty. She was a natural leader with an entrepreneurial spirit who found success in sales, real estate, mortgage lending, and small business ownership.
Paula took pride in watching her children and grandchildren showcase their talents through acting, singing, and dancing. We’ll miss her laughter, sense of humor, competitive game playing skills, and tender heart.
Paula is preceded in death by her parents and her parents-in-law, James Russell and June McEwan Durrant. She is survived by her husband and seven children: Lisa, John, Laura, Ryan Russell, Aimee (Matt) Fautin, Julie (Brad) Webb, and David; seven adored grandchildren: Ian, Taylor, Drayton, Hannah, Eve, Ruby, and Charlotte; her sisters-in-law Deborah (LeGrand) McOmber and Nanette (Lloyd) Campbell, and many nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Neighborhood House Adult Day Services for providing Paula with exceptional loving care for over a decade. We would also like to thank the staff members of Quality Hospice of Salt Lake City and Sun Tree Hospice of Cedar City for their compassionate end of life care.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, December 15, 2018, at 11:00 am at the Cottonwood Heights 5th Ward Meeting House located at 7075 S. 2245 East, Cottonwood Heights, UT. Viewings will be held on Friday, December 14, from 7-9 p.m. at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary, 3401 S. Highland Drive, Millcreek, UT, and from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral services. Internment at Wasatch Lawn Mortuary.
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