Please join us in the celebration of the life of our mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Pauline J. (Cummings) Oakley was born July 26, 1926 in Detroit, MI. Not only one of 8 children, she was a fraternal twin to Paul.
At the age of 17 she meet Eura Oakley on a train in Detroit, MI. After a brief chat Eura told Pauline "I'm going to marry you one day". Pauline got off the train thinking he was crazy. Shortly thereafter, Eura and Pauline married, moved to Jacksonville, FL where Eura served in the Navy during WWII.
After the Navy the two made their home on a farm in Benton, KY. There they raised livestock, row crops and many large plentiful gardens.This farm was also home to twin boys Ron and Don, a daughter Bonnie and later their third son, Craig.
Over the years their home became filled with grandchildren and many local children for which Pauline cared.
Eura and Pauline lead a life of service as members of
Hardin Baptist Church. Through their example of service the children witnessed
Christ's love in their daily lives. Each child recognized that God's hand was
on them before birth, with Him placing each one of them with their most
treasured gift, their Mom and Dad, Eura and Pauline.
Pauline enjoyed gardening, quilting, canning, cooking, doll making, sewing and time with her pets. Many in the area have one of Pauline's quilts, dolls or bunnies as well as have been a recipient of Eura and Pauline's garden produce.
Eura and Pauline traveled frequently to Michigan, Florida, Illinois, Missouri and Georgia.
After the death of her son, Don and the death of Eura in 2005, Pauline made her home with her daughter, Bonnie, Anthony, grandchildren, Tyler, Taylor and son, Craig in Georgia. During this time Pauline continued her travels visiting Michigan, Costa Rica, Panama Canal, Florida and Puerto Rico. Pauline attended the weddings of her son, Craig to Brittany, her grandson Tyler to Leah and her granddaughter Taylor to Kevin. Pauline also joyously welcomed the birth of Kara, Knox, Payton, Wyatt, Charli Grace, Gavin, and Rhett who were all part of her daily life. Each family member participated greatly, in one manner or another, for the daily care of Pauline as her journey continued.
Pauline was able to spend many months with her son, Ron prior to his death in 2018.
On July 6, 2019 Pauline had a very peaceful transition from Bonnie and Anthony's arms to our Father's outreached hands. She remain's vividly present in the hearts of her family because of the continual love she poured into each.
Pauline is survived by her sister, Joyce Cummings of Sand Lake, MI, her daughter Bonnie, husband Anthony, her son Craig, wife Brittany her grandchildren Ely Oakley, Tyler Recker, wife Leah, Taylor Fortmann, husband Kevin, and Kara Oakley, her great grandchildren Jacob Oakley, Knox Recker, Charli Grace Fortmann, Payton Recker, Gavin Fortmann, Tucker Oakley, Rhett Fortmann and Wyatt Recker.
Funeral Services will be held Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of the Collier Funeral Home, 211 West 5th St. Benton, KY 42025 with her grandson, Tyler Recker officiating.
Interment will follow in Union Ridge Cemetery, Benton, KY.
Visitation will be held between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2019.
In lieu of flowers, family is requesting donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.
