Psalmist Paula Darlene Huggins

HugginsPaula Photo

PAULA DARLENE HUGGINS
(Sunrise – August 22, 1968 Sunset – September 28, 2022)
Paula Huggins, the precious daughter of Beverly Huggins, grew up in Columbus, Ohio and was very actively involved in school, church, community and extracurricular activities beginning at an early age. As a youngster, she became a member of Triedstone Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Bishop Jerome H. Ross; she was active in the Children’s Band, the Hattie Jackson Guild Girls, and the Young Disciples of the Stone (YDS). Paula was blessed to be surrounded by a village of many caring, positive people. She acknowledged that Lady Patricia Ross and Sis. Sandra Alexander and others were among her strong mentors. Paula loved music, acting, dancing, and other activities. As a student at Eastmoor High School, Paula was a member of Eastmoor’s Choir and Ensemble and acted in several dramatic plays. She was featured as a lead vocalist on Eastmoor’s recording of “Reach for a Brand New Day.” Paula was also active in community organizations including the Columbus Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America and participated on the national level during GMWA’s conventions.
Dr. Nathan Carter met Paula while she was still in high school and recruited her to attend Morgan State University in Baltimore upon high school graduation. At Morgan State, Paula majored in Music Education and Psychology; she was a member of the renowned Morgan State University Choir, the Morgan Singers and the Ira Aldridge Players. During those years, she also served as a Peer Counselor, a Residence Assistant and as a voice coach to many other students; she was on the Senior Class Executive Board, on the Dean’s List several times and was listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. Paula was initiated into the Alpha Gamma Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. One of her friends recently wrote that “Paula was the songbird of her line — and that she could always be found at the center of the Delta Homecoming Circle, leading hundreds of Sorors in song.”
After college, Paula became a dedicated teacher and was so proud of the accomplishments of her students. She taught initially at Mt. Zion Baptist Christian School and later at New Song Academy where she continued to teach until faced with recent health challenges. She was previously employed as an Adjunct Professor for the Baltimore City Community College. Paula had a real passion for teaching and like most good teachers, she did everything possible to prepare the students for success in life and to support the school’s mission. A few years ago, she wrote the school song for New Song Academy.
Paula united with First Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Baltimore under the leadership of Bishop Oscar Brown and became an active member in the Church’s Praise Team and Choir, a grammar teacher, and was involved in the Far Above Rubies ministry. She remained a member of First Mt. Olive and took on responsibility as the Worship Arts Director at GraceCity Church in Baltimore under the leadership of Pastor Bob Bingham and Pastor Corey Barnes. Whenever she returned home, she continued to be involved in the Music Ministry at Triedstone by participating in the J. H. Ross Pastoral Choirs and in other ways.
Paula really loved the Lord and did not seek fame or fortune but she welcomed the opportunities He provided for her to minister through song, word, and deed including touring with groups in Paris and Italy. Paula was blessed with many talents and used those gifts to encourage, promote and inspire others. In addition to those already listed, some other groups she sang and/or recorded with include (to name a few): Eric Waddell and the Abundant Life Singers, Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship Praise and Worship Team & Choir, Darin Atwater and Baltimore’s Soulful Symphony, Jonathan Nelson and Purpose, the Carter Legacy Singers, Rev. Trini Massie, Bishop Guy Robinson and Light the World, Guy Robinson and Friends and the Voices of Tabernacle; Wayne Carter and the Northern Delaware Chapter of the Gospel Music Workshop of America. She also recorded lead vocals on several albums including: The Refreshing: “Keeper of My Days” written by Pastor David Carrington.
Paula’s loving, funny, witty, kind and jubilant personality always gave joy to our family and so many others and she strived to put the needs of others first. She is survived by her loving Mother, Beverly Huggins; Aunts – Levoyce Huggins of Ohio, Robin Nash and family of Georgia, Cynthia D. Cantrell of Florida; Godmother Jean Kendrick of Ohio; Uncles – Charles D. (Tawana) Huggins & family of Alabama, and Thomas Huggins of Georgia; Godfather James Kendrick of Ohio; God-uncle- Dr. K. Clay (Dorothy) Horton of Georgia; Godson Liam Brown and his parents, Pastor Joel and Latifahia Brown of Virginia); God-Sister Kaylah Price of Ohio; many special cousins and their families including Deborah (Andre) Hughley of Ohio, Charese Harper of Ohio, Dr. Sherri Garrett of Georgia, Pastor Lloyd (Malinda) Garrett of Maryland, Andre (Deetra) Whatley of Maryland, Eva Garrett Wood (Eugene Wood) of Illinois, Kathleen (Neil) Cowart of Georgia; Jean Pierre Shackelford of Ohio, Charles (Michelle) Shackelford of Australia, Elaine Maria Shackelford of Ohio, Debra (Paul) Smith of Ohio; John Ziegler of Ohio; Special Nephew William (Trey) Hayes; a host of other cousins from the Careathers-Huggins-Whatley-White Families, and Rhoda (Shurron) Green of Georgia, along with the Shackelford-Rice-Stovall families; many “Besties” including Lisa (Carl) Hayes of Ohio; and the following from Maryland: Regina Gale Malloy, Shankia Mardenborough, Brandi Harrell, Audra Hill, LaKeeta Campbell, Stacy Atwater Jones, and Marlene Johnson; Numerous extended family members include Pastor David Carrington, and the families of: Bishop Jerome H. and Lady Patricia Ross, Anna and Isaac Harper , Sandra and Charles Alexander, Florine and Crystal Solomon, Faye Goins, Bishop Oscar and Lady Jacqueline Brown, Pastor Bob and Lady Bingham, Pastor Corey and Lady Rashema Barnes, the GraceCity leadership team; the students & staff at New Song Academy, and numerous other people.
Paula’s love for the Lord and for people shaped her life and impacted her ability to reach many. As she often said during her very short illness, “IT SHALL BE WELL” and it is so because she now safely abides in the loving arms of Jesus, welcomed by her loving Grandmother Katie and a great host of other loved ones that have gone on before.

Baltimore Maryland Service,

Public Viewing at 3pm; Delta Sigma Theta Omega Omega Service at 430pm and
Musical Tribute 5:00pm Sunday, October 9, 2022 at First Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Baltimore Maryland.

Additional Visitation 10:30am and Funeral Service 11:00am Tuesday October 11, 2022 at First Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Baltimore

Columbus Ohio Service,

Visitation 5pm and Home Going Service 6pm Sunday October 16, 2022 at Triedstone Baptist Church, Columbus

Interment
Cedartown, GA

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Condolence Messages

  1. Gone too soon. The Angelic choirs of Heaven Welcome you to your Eternal Rest. May God’s Light Shine on you Forever

  2. Towanda Jackson

    I’m so so sorry for your loss
    Ms Paula was my ged teacher she was a very important person to me.

  3. Lillian Teresa Bush

    Sincere condolence in the passing of Paula and share your loss. May God strengthen and comfort you all.

    Lillian Shackelford-Bush

  4. Marilyn W. Floyd

    Thoughts and prayers from Bobby & Marilyn Floyd.

  5. My deepest condolences. Did not know Ms. Huggins personally. I came across a you tube video of this Anointed Women singing Great Is Thy Faithfulness about a year ago touched my soul. I was actually at work at my desk praising God. Now she sings for our Lord and Savior. May God be with you all.

  6. Pastor Lorraine Williams

    I did not know Paula. However, I came to know her beautiful voice through YouTube where she sang at a wedding. Often when I have questioned life’s challenges, felt low in spirit or just didn’t know what to do hearing her sing Great Is Thy Faithfulness brought rise to my soul. Though she may be gone from this life her voice will continue to touch all who hear her from now until eternity! Believers believe 2 Corinthians 5:8

    Rest is God my Soror!

    • Well said, it’s the same for me,I am in shock, because I had realize the wedding she sung Great is thy Faithfulness at the Bride had just pass away who was the First Lady of the Church.Thanks for that comment well said. My deepest condolences to the family.

  7. Beverly R Sheppard

    You are gone but not forgotten! My prayers and thoughts are with you in your time of need, always.

  8. I will miss you so much my songbird. I pray for the family which i love so much.

  9. Paul will be miss. My prayers goes out to her mother in love ones.

  10. Minister Ardenia Holland

    Paula, your life was not only a ministry of music, but even more a ministry of God’s love. To be so well spoken of is a testament to being a living epistle. Your shoes may not be too large to fill, but your walk was one-of-a-kind. Rest well thy good and faithful servan

  11. My sincerely condolences to the family of Sis. Paula D. Huggins. “Well done thy good and faithful servant.” The body of Christ, those who knew her and the millions of people who saw her viral video were blessed by her gift. May the family be strengthened and comforted in knowing that her assignment on earth is completed and she rests in the arms of the Savior. Amen!

  12. Paula sang at my wedding beautiful person/voice Great Is Thy Faithfulness. Paul is rejoicing at the gates of Heaven-my prayers and condolence to the family.

  13. Elder Delores Greene

    Paula’s voice will be missed. We loved her. May God bless and care for her families, private and church families. Rest in Christ, Paula.

  14. To the Family of Paula Huggins
    Although I didn’t know her personally in a special way I looked forward to her ministering every year in our Fresh Power Conference. She was a beautiful soul and her voice was anointed by God.This here is only the beginning of her ministry we will hear her again in Heaven❤️

  15. I didn’t know Paula personally, but I believe you didn’t have to. Her spirit exuded whomever she met. I grieve along with her mother/Aunt whom I sang with in Voices. She never took her gift lightly and used it to glorify God. My dear you will be missed. Heaven has gained a song bird. To the family God is to wise to make a mistake. She taught us how to lived saved

  16. Candy Turner Gordon

    Sister Beverly I pray God continue to strengthen and yours during this trying time. I will keep you lifted up, as a mother and grandmother I cannot image your pain eventhough I’ve experienced the loss of several immediate family. God be with you my dear long time friend.

  17. I’m just learning of this dear sister’s passing. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. No one can sing great is thy faithfulness like her. I stumbled upon a wedding video of her singing Great is thy Faithfulness and was in awe of the anointing that resided upon her. I’m sure her songs continue in heaven. Peace and comfort to all those that loved her.

  18. Not only was she blessed with an outstanding singing VOICE, it was ANOINTED. I heard her on Facebook several years ago after a friend saw the video and SHARED it with her friends.

  19. My sincere condolences to your entire family. I did not know Paula personally but became acquainted with her when someone shared a YouTube video of her singing at her friend’s Teleshia Chandler’s wedding. Her voice was blessed. She almost took over the wedding when the holy spirit came in. She had everyone crying and shouting. Me, the groom, everybody. LOL. But seriously, she was indeed a songbird. Her range, her depth, her pureness made my soul cry out. She could have held her own with the greats. She was an artist in her own right. I can listen to her over and over. I was shocked and sadden that she is no longer on this earth, but I have no doubt that she is now with God singing in the heavenly choir.

  20. Didn’t know Paula but with a voice and a set of vocals like that that’s I need to hear and know HEAVEN must be still REJOICING . Welcome home Paula your seat here will remain empty. Can’t be touch. A JOB WELL DONE.

  21. Min. Anna Stevens Bright

    I just found out today on YouTube that Ms. Paula went home to be with the Lord. However, I never met her, but one day I was on YouTube listening to some uplifting songs, and her rendition of “Great is Thy Faithfulness” popped up. My Lord, what a voice! I have probably listened to her sing this song too many times to count. Every time I listen to it, I can just feel her spirit and the Spirit of the Lord. When I am going through, I listen to it, and I always feel so much better. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! Prayers and condolences to her family. What a legacy Ms. Paula left behind!

  22. Dr Patsy Waderker Perry

    To the family & friends of Paula, please accept my deepest condolences. We will see & hear this beautiful soul again.

    She is with our Father in heaven.

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