News

A funeral service has been announced for Paulette Gibbs “Paula” Clark, the longtime Dixie Diner waitress who died May 13 as the result of a brutal beating.

Clark, 60, of Hendersonville, died while hospitalized at Pardee UNC Health Care one week after she was savagely beaten in her home. A native and lifelong resident of Henderson County, she was the daughter of Ralph “Eddie” Gibbs Sr. and the late Viola Ann Gibbs. She was also preceded in death by her aunts, Patsy, Joyce and Brenda; uncles, Jerry Gibbs and Harley “Latt” Edwards; her Granny Edwards, Papaw Edwards and great-grandchild, Prince.

A member of Upward Baptist Church, Clark had owned and operated Dixie Diner in Laurel Park since January of this year. She had been in the restaurant business her entire working career. Paula loved the beach, especially taking trips to Isle of Palms, South Carolina. She enjoyed flowers and tending to her flower garden. Her customers brought her great joy and she loved being able to serve them. She always put her family members first as they were a constant top priority in her life.

She is survived by her husband, whom she had spent 39 years with, Martin “Marty” Clark; father, Ralph E. “Eddie” Gibbs Sr.; children, Jennifer Marie Gregory, Christy Michelle Owen, Maurice Jones Jr. and Latasha Brooke Jones; her brother, Ralph E. Gibbs Jr. and nephew Ethan Jacob Gibbs. She was Nana to 18 surviving grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 24, at Upward Baptist Church with the Rev. Dan Blackwell officiating. The family will receive friends 10-11 a.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the family’s unexpected financial burden they find themselves in with Clark's sudden passing by visiting here.