Obituary of Paula Owens McGinnis

Paula Owens McGinnis, 76, of Lewisburg, WV, passed away on July 29, 2023, one day shy of her 77th birthday. She was in Hilton Head, one of her favorite places, to celebrate her birthday with her son Dr. Brian McGinnis, D.C., her daughter in-law Tammy McGinnis, and one of her caregivers, Sherrie Booth. Unfortunately, Paula lost her eight-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. She left this earth surrounded by love, and she will join her beloved husband, Bruce McGinnis, who preceded her in death in 2015.

Paula had two sons, Greg McGinnis of Lewisburg, WV, Brian McGinnis of Hilton Head Island, SC, and a daughter in-law, Tammy McGinnis, also of Hilton Head Island, SC. Paula was also Preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Hazel Owens of Frankford, WV. Paula has two older brothers and their spouses, Charles and Nancy Owens of Lewisburg, WV, and Jerry and Patty Owens of Maxwelton, WV. She was also blessed with three loving nieces and nephews, Terry Huff and her husband Neil of Aiken, SC (and their daughters Gretchen Huff and Heather Hamm and her husband Matt), Jeff Owens and his wife Anne Owens of Lewisburg, and Jim Owens of Lewisburg, WV. In the last years of her life, Paula was cared for by two amazing caregivers, Sherrie Booth and Sue Wilson. Their assistance was invaluable to allow Paula to honor her wishes to stay in her home until the end of her life.

Paula was a homemaker, who was known for her wonderful cooking and entertaining. She made every holiday a joyous occasion and was often the host of the family. We all have so many wonderful memories of her bringing the family together for so many years.

Her husband, Bruce McGinnis, was the love of her life, and they were inseparable until his passing in 2015. They were often the life of the party and were known to dance the night away. She was considered to be a “neighborhood” mother, and rarely was there not at least one of her boys’ friends not sitting with us at the dinner table. Paula was also surrounded by so many loving cousins in the area who were always willing to help or stop by for a visit.

She was taken from us too soon, but we rejoice that she is no longer encumbered by the struggles of Parkinson’s, and today she is dancing in heaven with her soulmate, her husband, Bruce. The love they shared will never be broken and will live on for eternity.

Paula was known to have a sweet tooth. We are having a celebration of her life next year around her birthday and there will be a high tea dessert party in her honor, and all family and friends will be invited, details to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Michael J Fox foundation for Parkinson’s research.