Paula Elaine Carter Buckhalter, 71, of Jacksonville, North Carolina passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025, at Carteret Health Care in Morehead City, NC.

A memorial service to honor Paula's life will be held at 2 p.m., Thursday, June 26 at First Free Will Baptist Church, 919 Gumbranch Road in Jacksonville, officiated by Rev. Curtis Linton. A burial will follow at Onslow Memorial Park in Jacksonville. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service.

Paula was born on January 6, 1954, in Great Lakes, IL to the late Paul George Carter and Dorothy Frye Carter. She was a dedicated and faithful member of First Free Will Baptist Church for over 40 years. She retired as a food service manager from Onslow County Public Schools.

Paula's life was a testament to her love for others, as she devoted herself to her family, friends, and church community. She served as a deacon's wife and enjoyed teaching the girls' Sunday School class for many years. Her thoughtful gestures, like baking desserts for friends and neighbors, reflected her compassionate heart. Paula's creative talents, including cake decorating, sewing, and quilting, brought her joy and enabled her to share her gifts with others. Paula's legacy as a gentle soul, kind person, and peacemaker left an indelible mark on those around her.

Those remaining to cherish her memory are her son, Chris (Brenda) Buckhalter of Raleigh; daughter Karen (Robert) Michaux of Newport; sister Joni (John) Wiggins of Hope Mills;  grandchildren AnnElise and Chasen Weideman of Newport; granddaughters Eva, Embri, and Gianna Michaux of Newport; sisters-in-law Dianne Clouse of Jacksonville and Jo Ann Nanes (Tony) of Monroe, GA; aunt Carol Beauchamp of Glasgow, KY, as well as special nieces and nephews she treated as her own, and other beloved family members.

In addition to her parents, Paula was preceded in death by her husband, Myron and siblings Rosemary Mattheis and Steven Carter.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to First Free Will Baptist Church or Gideons International.