Paula Lea Spring, 71, of Warsaw, MO, passed away September 8, 2021 at NorthCare Hospice House. She was born October 30, 1949 in Illinois, the daughter of Richard and Patricia Longtin. Paula grew up in Illinois and graduated from Deerfield High School in 1967. She went on to earn a BA in Journalism from the University of Missouri and later a Masters in Journalism also from the University of Missouri. Paula was a member of Alpha Chi Omega while at the University of Missouri.

Paula was united in marriage to Dr. James E. Spring on August 7, 1971 in Chicago, Illinois. They first made their home in Kansas City, later moving to Warsaw in 1977 after James’s service in the Air Force. Paula worked for one of the Kansas City news channels while in Kansas City, then later wrote for the Benton County Enterprise in Warsaw. Her column was “The County Line.” She transitioned to Ozark 98 (later 97.1 The Lake) radio station as a news reporter over the noon hour and retired after many years of dedicated reporting. In her later years, Paula wrote for L.O. Profile Magazine featuring the Lake of the Ozarks. Paula was a member and former President of the Warsaw School Board for many years and served on the State of Missouri’s School Board. She served on the boards for the Benton County Community Foundation, the Warsaw Education Foundation, and the State Fair Community College Foundation. Paula helped create the Warsaw Academic Excellence Awards. She served on the Benton County Extension Council, and was named to the MU Extension Leader’s Honor Roll for her efforts in championing MU Extension in Benton County. Paula was also a member of Mother’s Night Out.

After her husband’s passing, in conjunction with Benton County Health Department, Paula was instrumental in raising money for life-saving AED machines for the community by coordinating the AED Fore The Heart Golf Tournament.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Patricia Longtin; her beloved husband, Dr. James E. Spring; and her sister, Pamela Brenneis.

Paula is survived by her daughter, Megan Spring (Angie) of Excelsior Springs, Missouri; the daughter of her heart, Heidi Schmidt (Jason) of Sedalia, Missouri; her sister-in-law, Dr. Joyce West of Okemos, Michigan; her niece, Dr. Kristine Annable of Okemos, Michigan; and her great-niece and nephew, Katie Burkhardt and Will Burkhardt; as well as other relatives and many friends.