Paula Rae (Henderson) Gipson

Paula Rae (Henderson) Gipson (1944-2024) finished her journey Sunday, September 29, 2024, while at Sharon Lane Health and Rehabilitation in Shawnee, Kansas.

The youngest daughter of William and Margaret Henderson was born on September 11, 1944, in Kansas City, Missouri, and has been described as faithful, strong, prayerful, quietly tenacious, talented and sweet. 

The Lincoln High School graduate loved reading and the ability to express herself with words—a love she passed to her children and grandchildren as well as any child blessed enough to have Mrs. Gipson as a teacher!

She also learned to cook, bake and sew with the guidance of her mother and older sisters. The ability to make meals with whatever was in the kitchen or make winter coats with whatever scrap material left from other sewing supplies was a survival skill that Paula carried with her forever.

Teaching was a gift that she used her whole life. As a graduate of the then Central Missouri State University, she took her education degree and started her career in Wichita, Kansas, in 1966. She’d married the love of her life, Jack Gipson—they met when he was stationed in Warrensburg, Missouri (U.S. Air Force)—the summer of 1966.

In 1969, the Gipson’s had their daughter Christi, and stayed in Wichita a few more years. Both Paula and Jack moved their teaching careers to Kansas City, Kansas, having their son Scott in 1975. Paula would go on to teach elementary-aged children at Riverview Elementary School and M.E. Pearson through “retirement” in 2000. But she continued to teach until 2012–finishing at Welborn Elementary.

While she continued her teaching career, the Gipson family were involved members of Open Door Baptist Church in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1978, the family was put to the test when Jack was paralyzed in a chiropractic accident. Paula’s faith and strength were evident as she taught school, managed a 3- and 9-year-old and juggled hospital visits. Jack and Paula believed “Gipson’s never give up” and it was what Paula modeled.

Jack was able to go back to teaching and the family moved to the Argentine community in Kansas City, Kansas. Paula kept teaching—often staying late in her classroom working. She’d completed her Master’s Degree in Education from Emporia State University while working. She was the computer liaison near her retirement and always took the students some other teachers couldn’t manage.

Along the way, Paula had dealt with various ailments but some of her toughest challenges were with breast cancer—two different times in the early 2000s. Surviving that and moving forward, she continued to be active at school and church—the latter being where her friendship with the ladies small group carried her through the loss of Jack in 2008.

A stroke in March 2018 took her out of her own home but she managed to build friendships, continue to worship God and do her best to be as mobile as her body would allow. Friends at Sharon Lane said she would often win any word-related game they played though!

Paula was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Gipson; brothers William Henderson, Robert Henderson, Lucian Henderson and sisters, Barbara Hamm and Karen McDonald. Paula is survived by her children, Christi (Darin) Diggs and Scott (Shawniece) Gipson; grandchildren Olivia Gipson, Darby Diggs and Daley Diggs; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held 1pm, Saturday, October 12, 2024 at Lenexa Baptist Church, 15320 W. 87th St. Pkwy, Lenexa, Kansas 66219. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Community Christian Academy, 3027 N. 54th St., Kansas City, Kansas.