Paula Sprayberry

Sylvia Paulette “Paula” Palmer Sprayberry of Hiawassee, GA, 76, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, due to ALS. She went peacefully in her beloved home with her devoted husband, Sonny, by her side. Paula was born in Danville, VA. She grew up in Decatur, GA, and attended Southwest Dekalb High School (’66). She earned her Associates Degree from Dekalb Community College after high school. She also earned her real estate license and acquired many business certifications in the technology industry later in life. Paula married her high school sweetheart, Sonny Sprayberry, on February 22, 1969. They had four wonderful children: Shea, Mendy, Allison, and Brice, who gave Paula and Sonny 9 amazing grandchildren that she thoroughly enjoyed spending time with.

Paula and Sonny lived in Stone Mountain, GA, when they first married and then moved to Waldrop Rd. in Decatur, GA, where they lived next door to Sonny’s parents and sisters in “Sprayberryville”, as they affectionately called it. They moved to Cherokee Woods East in Gwinnett County in 1983, where they quickly made lifelong friends with many neighbors. With Paula’s family having ties to Dahlonega and her visiting there often over her lifetime, she and Sonny moved to close-by Hiawassee to the “Holly Hut” cabin in 2021, and it was truly Paula’s “Happy Place”. She loved to look out at the mountains every day and enjoyed the slow-paced life of mountain living. Paula and Sonny also have a houseboat at Lake Lanier that they love to spend time on, entertaining friends and family and just relaxing. They are members of University Yacht Club and have formed close friendships with many of the members there that are now like family.

Paula had several successful sales careers in her lifetime, which started with Mary Kay in her 20’s. After she had children, she helped Sonny by doing alterations for his clothing store, macraméing, and keeping children in her home. She went back to full-time work outside the home in her 30’s, and began working for Western Union. That career led her to other IT Sales opportunities with Sprint and MCI Telecom, where she was a Major Account Manager and Regional Trainer. After leaving the technology industry, Paula continued her success as a Senior Residence Counselor for Park Springs Retirement Community. Sales was her passion. She was great at it and was very proud of earning many top awards throughout her very successful sales career.

Paula was an adventurer that loved to ride Harleys and travel. She was proud to share with everyone that she met that she had been to all 7 continents, which is an impressive accomplishment. She also visited many US states, French Polynesia, Canada, and several Caribbean islands. She considered herself a lifelong learner, and her life mottos were “just say YES to adventure” and “the world is my classroom”. She loved to read and absorb knowledge on many different topics. She also loved to talk to people and learn all about their family history and their lives. She made everyone feel welcome and seen. Planting flowers and working in the yard was also one of Paula’s hobbies. She loved being out in nature when the weather was warm. Paula also liked rock music and dancing. She loved to slow dance with Sonny whenever she got the opportunity. She was famous for saying, “Twirl me, Sonny!”

Paula is preceded in death by her parents, Wendell and Mary (Gerrells) Palmer. She is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 55 years, MB “Sonny” Sprayberry, Jr. of Hiawassee, GA, her daughters, Shea Smith of Braselton, GA, Mendy Halford of Atlanta, GA, Allison (Shannon) Cochran of Cumming, GA, and son, Brice (Brooke) Sprayberry of Mount Pleasant, SC, grandchildren Carson Smith, Emory Halford, Ashton Smith, Preston Halford, Peyton Smith, Townes Cochran, Drew Sprayberry, Evie Cochran, and Ellison Sprayberry, sister, Pam Cato, of Young Harris, GA, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 2:00 PM at University Yacht Club chapel and beach pavilion, 6649 Yacht Club Rd., Flowery Branch, GA 30542. Casual dress. Please wear colorful clothing to symbolize Paula’s zest for life and to help make this Celebration uplifting, as she has requested. There will be an opportunity for friends and family to speak during the Celebration.

In lieu of sending flowers, please take a trip or go on a new adventure and think of her. She would love that!