Paulette Springer

Services for Paulette Springer, 75 of Kilgore will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, September 2, 2022, at First Baptist Church with Dr. Glenn Young and Rev. David Hampton officiating. Family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 Thursday evening at Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore. Burial will be Tuesday, September 6, 2022, at Leakey Floral Cemetery in Leakey, Texas

Paulette was born on November 20, 1946, in Uvalde, Texas to the late William McKinley Ryan and Dora Edna Garnett. She grew up on the family ranch outside of Leakey, Texas. Paulette was a member of First Baptist Church. She graduated valedictorian of Rock Springs High School class of 1965. She attended Texas Woman’s University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1969. Paulette attended Baylor University and graduated with a Master of Science in 1973 and completed her PhD in Anatomy and Physiology in 1977. On August 9, 1969, she married Alfred Ezekiel Springer IV and have two sons, Alfred (Fred) Ezekiel Springer V and Paul Ryan Springer.

She began her career as a Staff Physical Therapist for the Dallas Society for Crippled Children from 1969-1971. Paulette was certified as a Physical Therapist by the State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners of Texas in 1972 then worked as a Physical Therapist at the Convalescent Center, Dallas, TX 1971-1972 Chief Physical Therapist, Kerrville State Hospital, Texas, 1973-74; Consultant and Coordinator of Occupational and Physical Therapy, Kilgore, Texas, Region VII Education Service Center, 1979-81; Physical Therapist, Longview Independent School District, 1979-80; Physical Therapist, Texas Home Health, Longview, Texas, 1980-81; Physical Therapist for Smith County Co-op, 1980s; Assistant Professor of Biology, Department of Physical Therapy, School of Allied Health Professions, LSU Medical Center, Shreveport, Louisiana, 1982; Assistant Professor, LeTourneau College, Longview, TX, 1981; Established the Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Kilgore College in Kilgore, Texas; Regional P.T. clinical director for Sundance Rehabilitation Corporation. Physical Therapist for Texas Home Health, 2020. During her “retirement” she completed training and became a certified Emergency Medical Technician.

Paulette maintained memberships with: The American Physical Therapy Association; Texas Public Employee Association, 1973-74; Society for Neuroscience; Sigma Xi. Evergreen Garden Club, Kilgore, Texas; East Texas VHF-FM Society as a licensed Armature Radio Operator, and a long-time member of First Baptist Church of Kilgore.

Published works: Contributor of Articles and Papers to Journal of Neuroscience Research, Journal of Electromyography and Clinical Neurophysiology; Applied Science Review Laminated Cards on Physiology for Spring House Corporation.

Paulette was recognized by The International Biographical Roll of Honor for distinguished service to Science and Education and received biographical recognition in: Personalities of the South, The World Who’s Who of Women, International Book of Honor, Personalities of America, Two Thousand Notable Americans, The Directory of Distinguished Americans, Who’s Who in the South and Southwest, The Biographical Roll of Honor, Five Hundred Leaders of Influence, and others.

The accomplishments that she was most proud of was the shepherding of her two sons and passing on her love of music and piano, as well as guiding them to each achieve Eagle Scout. She was a cancer survivor. She was our keel. She was our home. She was beloved. Her compassionate heart will be missed. Her favorite verses II Timothy 1:8-12 and Philippians 1:1-21. “… For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”

Left to cherish her memory is her husband of 53 years, Al Springer of Kilgore, sons, Paul Springer of Harleton and Fred Springer and wife Christine of Altus, Oklahoma; sister, Barbara Bridwell of Grapevine; grandchildren, Quinton Springer and Ashlynne Pinzon as well as numerous nieces, friends, and other loving family members.