August 26, 1935 to April 6, 2022

Paula Elizabeth Ranson was born in Charleston, West Virginia to parents, Robert and Elizabeth (Betty) Ranson. As a youth, she loved to play piano, ride her horse, fish with her Dad and sing in choir. As an only child, she spent many hours with her close friends and family. She later attended Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia where she met her first husband, Lynn Stollings Buskirk. Paula’s mother-in-law, Lillian Buskirk, was the Dean of Women of Marshall and after 35 years service had a women’s dormitory named in her honor.

Paula had sons, Robert Lynn and Eric Helms, shortly after being married and while living in Huntington. With her degree in political science, she entered the field of social work where she would dedicate the rest of her life to helping children. They later moved to Baltimore, Maryland where she received her Masters Degree in Social Work.

In 1968, the family moved again to St Louis, Missouri where she lived until her peaceful passing. In St Louis, she worked as one of two social workers for the Parkway School District for some 35 years. She was always giving to her school community and most importantly to the children whose lives she touched and often changed in meaningful ways. Her generosity was ever present and she often created a sanctuary in her home for special children needing support.

In 1976, she met and married Walter Ellison. She and Walter loved boating, fishing, rodeos, traveling domestically, casinos and horses. On any given weekend, you would find them at the barn, fishing or boating at the Lake of the Ozarks or traveling to a rodeo or to visit an interesting vacation destination.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, Lynn Buskirk and Walter Ellison and son, Robert Buskirk. Survived by son Ric Buskirk and his wife Vanessa and grandchildren Lauren, Carsten and Ruby; daughter-inlaw, Sheryl Buskirk, and her daughter and grandson, Stacy and Brandon; step-daughters, Sheila Ellison-Mahaffy, Gina Shelton, Billie Messex and several step-grandchildren and step-great grandchildren.

She preferred no service and was cremated at St. Louis Crematory. While she will be deeply missed, she lived a full and happy life which ended very peacefully.