Russell Reason Paulk
Russell Reason Paulk, age 82, formerly of Valdosta, Georgia, passed away on May 25 at his
home in Gatlinburg after a lengthy illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie R.
and Evelyn Paulk, and brother, Leslie Randall Paulk, Jr. Russell is survived by his wife of 57
years, Dora Jean Boone Platt, as well as two daughters and their families: Miranda Paulk (Rich
Parks) and granddaughter Arwyn Paulk; Amanda Paulk (Zac Abston) and granddaughters
Madeline and Evangeline Abston. He is also survived by Gregg, Belinda, and Dean Paulk,
beloved nephews and niece; and cousins Carl and Laura Smith, Joe Paulk, Verlie Ann Turknett, David Paulk, Delaine Henderson, Amelia Tucker, Nick Paulk, Diane Hingson, Jake Paulk, Mike Paulk, Victor Ledbetter, Cindee Hiers, William Paulk, and Phillip Paulk of Georgia.
Russell was born in Willacoochee, Georgia, on January 8, 1938, graduated from Thomasville High School in 1956, and then served in the US Navy through 1960. Russell graduated from Valdosta State College in 1967 and earned his Master’s degree in Environmental Resources/Pollution Control from Pennsylvania State University in 1973. He worked in the Georgia Department of Public Health from 1967 until his retirement in 2000, achieving the position of Program Manager over a ten-county district. Russell endeavored to meet the pressing needs of rural areas in south Georgia. His most notable projects include a dental unit for under-served children, a mobile health clinic for migrant farm workers, and development of a sewage system in a remote community. After moving to Gatlinburg, Russell began a second career with the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, working as a ranger in air quality management until 2014. He spent his retirement years enjoying the activities he loved most–hiking, fly fishing, traveling, and entertaining his granddaughters.
Graveside services will be held at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Valdosta on Saturday, October 3, 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Friends of the Smokies, P.O. Box 1660, Kodak, TN 37764; or Trinity Episcopal Church, PO Box 55, Gatlinburg.
Published on September 25, 2020
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