Leona Valerie McDonald Paulk, 89, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, passed away surrounded by love at her daughter’s residence after an extended illness. She was formerly of Coffee County.
Graveside services will be held 3 PM, Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Purvis Cemetery in Coffee County, Georgia, with the Rev. Glen Fussell officiating. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.
Mrs. Paulk was born on December 21, 1936, in Coffee County, Georgia, to the late James Herbert and Ozell Williams Cliett. A woman of deep and abiding faith, she was a devoted member of Lax Holiness Baptist Church. Her faith guided her life and was a source of strength, comfort, and inspiration to all who knew her.
She was a loving mother, grandmother, and friend who cherished her family above all else. She loved working on the farm alongside her husband, took great pride in being a homemaker, and was a devoted mother to her girls. Her quiet strength, kindness, and steadfast spirit will be remembered by those whose lives she touched.
Mrs. Paulk is survived by her daughters: Debbie Woods of Fitzgerald and Lisa Frazier (Leland) of Ty Ty; grandchildren: Wendy (Adam) Golden, Ronda Woods, and Noah (Kendall) Frazier; great grandchildren: Cooper Golden, Willow Golden, and Wyatt Woods; a special caregiver, Dee Gonzalea (Nana) and several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands: Kermit McDonald and Fred Paulk, a son in law, Bobby Woods and her grandson, Mac Woods.
Mrs. Paulk’s life was a testament of faith, love and devotion to family, and she will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.
Paulk Funeral Home, Fitzgerald, is in charge of arrangments.