Madge Nell Paulk went to be with the Lord on October 2, 2012 in Colleyville, Texas, just 5 days after her 92nd birthday. She was born September 27, 1920 to Oscar James Kniffen and Roberta (Ruby) Richards in Clyde, Texas,

Madge was the youngest in her family and was raised by her dad and her
siblings since her mother passed away when Madge was 16 months old. Her early
years were hard since the family worked in the fields picking cotton and went
through the depression. She felt very fortunate at Christmas to get an apple,
wore hand-me-downs, and typically had only 1 change of clothes. As a result,
it was not uncommon to hear her say, "If you don't work, you don't eat."

Madge married the love of her life, Orville Dale Paulk (O.D.), twice--once (in
secret) and the second time on April 25, 1939 for the family at the young age
of 16. In the early 1940's, they moved to Jal, N.M. where O.D. began his
working career with El Paso Natural Gas. They had a son, Orville Dale, Jr. and
a second son, Ronnie Leon, two years apart. Seven years later, Janice DeNell,
a daughter, was born and seven years later, Debra Lorae, their last child was
born. O.D.'s work took the family to Monahans, Snyder, and Ozona, Texas and,
then, to Hobbs, N.M. where Madge finally got her high school diploma in 1965.
She had been a stay-at-home mom until her two sons entered college. Her work experience began at Wacker's (a five n dime store) and then progressed to the apparel field where Madge worked as a sales person in the apparal department at various retail stores. She finished her career work as store manager at Heidi's Place in the Broadmoor Shopping Center (all in Hobbs). She was a long time member of the Jefferson Street Church of Christ in Hobbs and considered members as extended family. After the passing of her husband and due to various health problems, she moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area where she was
close to her daughter, Debbie, and her granddaughter, Lindsay.

She loved family, sewing, cooking and canning, gardening, people, and her Bible.

Madge was preceded in death by her husband, O.D. Paulk, and grandson,
Joe Douglas Herman III, fondly remembered as "Jody." She also is preceded in
death by her parents, Oscar James Kniffen and Roberta (Ruby) Richards Kniffen;
sisters: Margie Moore, Louie Conlee, Hazel Searcy, and Levita Searcy; and her
brother, Oscar J. Kniffen.

Madge is survived by children, O.D. Paulk Jr. (Lisa) of Houston, Texas; Ronnie
Paulk (Ursula) of El Paso, Texas; Janice Herman (Joe) of Las Cruces, New
Mexico; and Debbie Paulk Kellum of Grapevine, Texas. Other surviving family
members include grandchildren, Marty Paulk (Wendi) of Houston, Texas; Kevin
Paulk (Lori) of Galveston, Texas; Chris Paulk of Houston, Texas; Janell
Mickelson (Kyle) of Richmond, Texas; Jena Herman of Las Cruces, New Mexico;
Lindsay Casillas (Tim) of Grapevine, Texas; and Ashley Garcia (Tony) of
Jacksonville, Florida. She is also survived by 10 great grandchildren and 2
great-great grandchildren.


Published October 4, 2012 by Chapel of Hope Funeral Home