Paula Fink Quarles

Paula Fink Quarles passed away peacefully on October 23, 2026, at the age of 78. Born and raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, Paula lived a life filled with love, friendship, service, and adventure. She leaves behind a legacy defined not only by her accomplishments, but by the countless lives she touched with her warmth, generosity, and genuine interest in others.

Her lifelong journey began on Tuscaloosa Street in West Palm Beach, Florida, and fittingly brought her to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she attended the University of Alabama. What began as a college adventure became a lifelong home. There, she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education and met the love of her life, Rusty Quarles. Together they built a life rooted in family, friendship, service, and community.

In her early career, Paula was in elementary education, including many treasured years as a second-grade teacher at Verner Elementary School, where her warmth, patience, and gift for connecting with people made her a natural educator. Later in life, following Rusty's passing, she took on the challenge of leading the family's plumbing, heating, and cooling business. With determination and grace, she guided the company forward and made history as the first woman to serve as president of the Alabama Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors Association. In recognition of her leadership and lasting impact on Tuscaloosa, Paula was honored with the Chamber of Commerce Roots and Wings Award and the H. Pettus Randall Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Paula's commitment to her community was evident through her service to numerous organizations, including Easter Seals of West Alabama, Hospice of West Alabama, the J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences Leadership Board at the University of Alabama, Temple Emanu-El, the Hillel Foundation, and Shelton State Community College. She believed deeply in giving back and helping create opportunities for others, and she generously shared her time, energy, and leadership throughout her life.

But if Paula were writing this herself, she would probably spend far less time talking about her accomplishments and far more time talking about the people she loved.

Paula truly never met a stranger. She could strike up a conversation anywhere and with anyone. Whether she was attending a meeting, sitting on an airplane, standing in line at the grocery store, or traveling halfway around the world, she had a way of connecting with people that felt effortless and genuine. She remembered names, asked thoughtful questions, and made people feel valued. What often started as a simple conversation became a friendship that lasted for decades.

She loved to travel and embraced every opportunity to explore somewhere new. Her adventures took her to countless places, but the destination was never what mattered most to Paula. It was the people she met along the way, the stories she collected, and the memories she created with family and friends.

Of all the roles she played in life, her favorite was being a mother and grandmother. Nothing made her happier than spending time with her family. Her grandchildren were the light of her life, and she celebrated every milestone, big or small, with enthusiasm and pride. Whether she was sitting behind home plate at a ballpark, going from store to store on a weekend shopping trip, or simply enjoying time spent together and just being Grammy, those moments brought her the greatest joy.

More than anything, Paula will be remembered for the way she made people feel. She showed up. She stayed connected. She thought of others before herself and found joy in making people feel special. Her home was often filled with gifts she could not wait to give, lists of notes she wanted to write, and reminders of people she needed to call, check on, or encourage. She never missed an opportunity to celebrate someone's accomplishment, mark an important occasion, or brighten another person's day. Her kindness was genuine, her laughter contagious, and her friendship unwavering.

Paula's life was filled with purpose, friendship, laughter, and love. While she will be deeply missed, the countless stories, friendships, and memories she leaves behind will continue to bring smiles to those fortunate enough to have known her.

Paula was preceded in death by her spouse, Russell “Rusty” Alan Quarles; parents, Hanna and Alfred Fink; Banks and Margaret Quarles; brother-in-law, Ronnie Quarles.

She is survived by her daughter, Karen Hamburger (Adam); son, Jeffrey Quarles; grandchildren, Molly Hamburger and Alan Hamburger; brother, Ronnie Fink (Linda Weberman); sister-in-law, Betty Quarles; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Kat and Ralph Quarles; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Noelle and Jeff Mecurio; mother-in-law, Marcia Quarles; longtime companion, Jack Kay; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Heritage Chapel Funeral Home, 5200 Old Birmingham Hwy, Tuscaloosa, Ala. on October 26, 2026, from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm. A graveside service will be held at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park, 5434 Old Birmingham Highway, Tuscaloosa, Ala. on October 26, 2026, at 1:30 pm with Rabbi Steven Jacobs officiating. Pallbearers will be Gregg Hamburger, Derek Fink, Blake Pearson, Andrew Boswell, Jeff Mercurio, Banks Quarles, Harry Shumaker, II, and Harry Shumaker, III.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of West Alabama, the J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama, or Temple Emanu-El, organizations that reflected her lifelong commitment to education, community, faith, and service.