Paula (Peterson) Dye

Paula Jean (Peterson) Dye was born during a snowstorm on February 10, 1961, in Richland Missouri to Ralph Jerry Peterson and Bessie Allene (Noe) Peterson. The daughter of a MODOT worker, the family lived in multiple towns, Richland, Dixon, Springfield, and ultimately settled in Waynesville. She graduated from Waynesville High School in 1979. Paula loved the medical field, and that love started at Lion Drug in Waynesville, Missouri where she worked for Charlie and Rose Powers who took her under their wings and grew that love and fostered it. During that time, she also became an EMT and a paramedic. Eventually she moved on from Lion Drug and began working at Pulaski County Hospital. All during that time she was in a relationship with the love of her life, Harvey Lynn Dye and on June 12, 1982, they were united in marriage at Beulah Baptist Church in Richland, Missouri, on the land her Fishback side of the family donated to have a church built on and presided over by her beloved father-in-law, Harvey Franklin Dye. Though Paula and Harvey often forgot their wedding date, they had Sarah and Carolyn remind them every year of their anniversary. They were married 42 years. Paula and Harvey had two children. Sarah Page Dye in November of 1985 and Stephen Harvey Dye in August 1990. Paula was a fierce fighter for her children and the best advocate for their healthcare. She also loved her multiple nieces and nephews and thought of many of them as hers. She took great pleasure in watching them grow and eventually have children of their own. In 2001, Paula achieved her goal of becoming a registered nurse with the love and support of her husband and children. Her heart was forever in emergency medicine, and she worked at Phelps and Texas County hospitals in their ERs. She also worked as a DON at a nursing home before ultimately ending her career as a surgical nurse where she made an amazing set of friends. In Paula’s spare time she loved painting and crafting. She loved being on the water and could fish all day long. She loved spending time with her family most of all, sharing stories of her time working as EMS. She was proud of her children and the successful lives they lived. Stephen following in her footsteps to become a nurse and Sarah becoming a published author. But she was most proud of her granddaughter Spencer Rose Dye. She loved to craft with Spencer, making many projects in their short time together. Paula died peacefully in her home. Paula was proceeded in death by her parents, Allene and Ralph Peterson; beloved in-laws Harvey and Pansy Dye; sister-in-law Connie Shelden (Gary) and nephew James Carmack. She leaves behind her husband Harvey Dye; daughter Sarah Dye; son Stephen Dye and his wife Rachel; granddaughter Spencer Rose Dye. Sister, Belinda Carmack (Gary); brother, Thomas Peterson (Carrie); brother-in-law, Ronnie Dye (Jann), sisters-in-law Carolyn Dye and Patty Gambill (Pat); and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and her children’s friends who come to love her as a mother figure. Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 4, 2025 in the Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert with Pastor Danny Graves officiating. The songs "Go Rest High on That Mountain" by Vince Gill and "I Hope You Dance" by Lee Ann Womack were played and soloist Becky Lercher sang "Amazing Grace". Serving as escorts were Joshua Parke, Matthew Parke, Jordan Parke, Jon Dye, Phillip Gambill, and Shawn Gambill. Serving as honorary escorts were Thomas and Isaac Peterson. Burial followed in the Deerlick Cemetery of Waynesville, Missouri. Services were under the care and direction of Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Paula Dye and may be left at Memorial Chapels and Crematory of Waynesville / St. Robert.

Paula (Peterson) Dye

February 10, 1961 - January 29, 2025