Paula Gene Harriss Neher

Paula Neher, 75, died unexpectedly at home asleep in bed on January 9, 2022. She was born in Pasadena, CA on September 5, 1946 to her parents John and Mildred (Gertz) Wolever.



Paula is survived by her three children: Melissa Sullivan, Jessica and husband Michael Hearn, and John-Michael Harriss; six grandchildren: Nicole Sullivan, Cody Hearn, Cheyenne Hearn, Ashley Sullivan, Morgan Sullivan, and William Sullivan; four great-grandchildren: Isaiah, Brayden, Kaden, and Clyde; her sister Elizabeth and husband James Wotherspoon; her cousin Karen Hills; her lifelong friend Linda Pearsall, as well as many other close friends. She also leaves behind two beloved dogs: Fred and Hendrix.



Paula was preceded in death by the father of her children, George Michael Harriss; the love of her life, Raymond Neher, with whom she was very active in their church, Bethel Bible Fellowship; her twin brother John Steven Wolever; and her mother, Mildred Wolever, who herself lived to be 102 years old.



In her younger life, Paula lived in Southern CA, before relocating to Antlers, OK, then later Elephant Butte, NM where she was a hard-working young mother. She made her family proud for her blue-collar fortitude, as she worked a variety of unusual jobs, such as a cosmetologist, a medical burn unit attendant, a seamstress for a Wrangler Jeans factory, and a nursing home cafeteria worker.



She showed her "never quit" attitude as she returned to college in her late 30's, embarking upon a new career in nursing. Upon graduating, she would actually return to the nursing home in which she had toiled as a cafeteria worker, only this time serving as a Registered Nurse. She loved her job as an R.N., and often spoke passionately about her fascination with and dedication to her profession. She worked diligently as a Registered Nurse for 28 years in several institutions in Las Cruces, before retiring from the Good Samaritan Society senior living facility in 2021 at the age of 74.



Paula was well known for her cooking and baking, and in 2021 she fulfilled her dream of self-publishing her own family cookbook. She was also proud of having written several items over the years in her church newsletter. From a young age she practiced good diet and exercise, long before it was fashionable, but despite her impressive work ethic, she still couldn't resist an occasional piece of cake or pecan pie.

Paula was a tireless cheerleader for everyone in her family. She had an evergreen optimism that couldn't be squashed by life's adversities. She absolutely loved her dogs, and while she kept fit, the dogs couldn't help but get fat for being lovingly spoiled. She was also an enthusiastic volunteer in her church, and an exuberant witness for a life-long relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.



In her final year of life, she experienced some health setbacks, but maintained her contagious sense of humor, her optimism, and her vibrant energy for living life to the fullest. She will be greatly missed by her family, and her many long-standing friends from her church and work communities.