Paula Montanez

Paula Concepción Montañez was born in Chicago,Illinois. Preceded in death by parents Miguel Montañez Sr. of Puerto Rico, and Carol Yvonne Montañez (Lewis) of St Louis, Missouri. At the age of 40, Paula was reunited with her half brothers, Anibal Montañez and Miguel Montañez Jr. (deceased) She was the middle child between Miguelina Wilson (deceased) and Juana Portell-Judson (living) all three of the girls were raised by their fiercely independent and loving mother, Carol. Paula raised three wonderful children Natalia A. Merritt, Alejandra C. Montanez, and Etienne M. Montañez, of her own. She is also survived by her nephew Christopher Judson Portell, and 12 living grandchildren which were near and dear to her heart. Whether on the city's North side or abroad, you would often see Wita, as she liked to be called by her grandkids, going about with Sonja J. Montañez in their matching hats and scarves crocheted and designed by Wita herself. On other occasions, she might have been enjoying an entourage of boys growing up into young men, grandsons On Eagles’ Wings, John, Phinehas, Ephraim, Jonas, Andrae, or Stephen Merritt. Mommy, as she will forever be called by her own children, otherwise could be found in Wisconsin, spending time with her granddaughters, Anna,Isabella, Joy, and Grace Merritt. She spent countless hours passing on her many colorfully told stories of the past, while dropping pearls of wisdom from her time with the Lord. Though her earthdate was July 26th, Paula would boldly tell you her real birth date was August 3, 1991. That was when she was reborn, after being led to Christ by a French Haitian missionary. This was in the days of her work as a paralegal for several law firms, delivering by foot, bus, or cab ride the court documents needed to help the city's legal system run. First and foremost, Paula served her children, providing on her own the protection and oversight she knew her children needed. Mommy always put her children first, and sacrificed to stay at home when her kids were young. She learned to lean on the Lord to provide for all her needs.In between maternity leaves, Paula served in property management, overseeing several area properties, and for many years was the first contact person for the Northmere Hotel, a residential building for many of the outcasts and mentally ill in the area. There she would become affectionately known as, Ms. Paula. Ms. Paula was always bold in her faith even as a young believer, and was hungry to learn about and serve Jesus Christ at local church congregations. Faith Tabernacle Church on the North Side, Crusaders Ministries on the South Side, New Hope Church, and Moody Bible Church, and many other house groups and area Bible studies. Paula was a multicultural and diverse believer, and the people she met and fellowshipped with were just as diverse. Sister Paula, was the sum of all the many souls the Lord brought into her life to share so many long talks and prayers with. Some gave her quite painful burdens to carry, while others gave her immense and intense joy, because Paula was one of the most empathetic people you would ever meet. Though many of her days were marked with grief over the loss of her own family members and later her own illnesses, Paula never gave up. She could connect with, and speak life into a person on the street she had never met before, or give a stern warning to the so-called crazy person on the bus, because to her they weren't crazy or to be shunned. They just needed Jesus just as much as Paula knew she did.

Guests are requested to wear white or colorful attire as Paula would have liked.
Please join us for refreshments after the service.
 

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