Paula Hankins

Betty “Paula” Gamble Hankins passed from this earthly life on September 13, 2023, at NorthCrest Medical Center, surrounded by her family. She had been sick with congestive heart failure since the middle July.

Paula was the fourth child of the late George “Jack” and Pauline “Polly” Walpole Gamble, born on Monday, November 19, 1956, one of the first babies born at Jesse Holman Jones Hospital. She attended Springfield schools and graduated in 1974 with the superlative of Most School Spirit.

Paula was a lifelong member of Eastland Heights Baptist Church, where she often volunteered in Vacation Bible School, taught Sunday School and was a Sunday School Sub for many years.

After high school, Paula began work at the State of Tennessee Department of Revenue, where she retired after 35 years of service.

Paula met her soulmate, the late Carl Edward Hankins in the fall of 1977, and they were married August 26, 1978.

Paula enjoyed music and movies. She also enjoyed sewing and doing her ceramics. In the last few years, she had really enjoyed coloring in her adult Christian themed coloring books.

Paula is preceded in death by her parents, George “Jack” and Pauline “Polly” Walpole Gamble, her brother Travis “Tiny” Gamble and his wife Linda Buck Gamble, her beloved niece Kenna Brooke Gupton Robards, and the love of her life Carl Edward Hankins.

Paula is survived by her daughter Crystal Erin and husband John Michael Gilbert, son Brian Edward Hankins and his wife Victoria Lea Hankins; granddaughters Harley Gilbert and Ocoee Gilbert; Sister Shelia and husband Richard Traughber, Sister Debbie and husband Wayne Hunter, and Sister Jackie Gupton; Nieces and Nephews Monica Clapper, Stephanie (Josh) Gill, Chris (Christina) Traughber, Sperri (Rodney) Arviso, Daniel (Madison) Gupton; Great-Nephews, Hunter Gill, T.K. Clapper and Jace Traughber; Great-Nieces Campbell Gill, Bailey Traughber, Isabella “Bella” and Sophie Arviso, Charlie Kate and Scottie Brooke Gupton; As well as many loving friends and neighbors.

A Life Celebration will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Eastland Heights Baptist Church 1000 5^th Ave E, Springfield, TN 37172. The family will receive friends on Friday at Springfield Funeral Home from 4-8pm then again on Saturday from 10:00 am until the time of service at the church. Burial will follow at Springfield Memorial Gardens with Josh Gill, Hunter Gill, Christ Traughber, Jace Traughber, Rodney Arviso, Daniel Gupton, Bobby Lee, Kyle Hamill serving has pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers will be the Class of 1974.

These arrangements were entrusted to Springfield Memorial Gardens, Funeral Home, and Cremation Center: 4005 Memorial Blvd, Springfield, Tennessee 37172. 615-384-5437. www.SpringfieldFH.com.