Paula Zaiontz of San Antonio, TX has gone home, leaving behind a circle of those who loved her.
A life is more than dates on a stone; here is a small portion of her story.
Paula held deeply to the Baptist faith — and was, by all accounts, loved by those who knew her best.
Belief, when lived, becomes a kind of inheritance.
Paula Gale Zaiontz, 72, went to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, May 1, 2026.
Paula was born August 31st, 1953 to Paul Quinten and Martha Jean Garrett and was raised alongside her siblings, Dale and Sandra, in San Antonio, Texas. She also spent part of her youth in Corpus Christi, where she earned the title of city bowling champion. She attended King High School and proudly served as first chair clarinet. She later returned to San Antonio, where she would build a life centered on faith, family, and service to others.
A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Paula, found her greatest joy in her family. The arrival of her daughter Stacey marked the beginning of a lifelong dream, and with the birth of Kelley a few years later, that dream was complete. Her daughters remained the center of her world and the source of her deepest pride and happiness.
Paula's life was rooted in her faith. From an early age, she was active in church youth programs, a commitment that continued throughout her life. She served as organist at Grace Baptist Temple.
After being set up on a blind date, Paula met Dan, and their relationship grew into a lifelong partnership. They were married in 1974 at Kirby Baptist Church, where her cousin served as pastor and officiated the ceremony.
Over the years, Paula remained deeply involved in church life. At Shearer Hills Baptist Church, she dedicated herself to children's ministry, later continuing that work at Thousand Oaks Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday School teacher and as Director of Vacation Bible School. She took great pride in growing the VBS program to more than 400 children each summer.
When Shearer Hills Baptist church relocated, Paula and her family returned and helped support the transition. In 2001, she resumed her work in children's Sunday School and nursery care, faithfully serving for a total of 34 years in children's ministry.
Paula also played a vital role alongside her husband in his service as a deacon, offering care and support to widows and widowers in their church community. She built meaningful friendships, provided comfort, and established daily "wellness check" calls and messages to ensure they were never alone.
Her service in the baptistry brought her special joy, as she assisted with baptisms and witnessed many of the children she had taught come forward in faith. Over the years, she saw nearly 100 children take this important step, a testament to her lasting influence.
Outside of church, Paula loved fishing. What began as childhood outings with her father grew into a lifelong passion. She enjoyed bass fishing on local lakes and later embraced saltwater fishing, sharing these experiences with her daughters and, eventually, her grandchildren.
Her commitment to serving others extended beyond the church. Paula was active in PTA at Long's Creek Elementary and later at Madison High School.
Paula also cherished traveling with her family, especially cruises to the Caribbean and Alaska. In 2024, she and Dan were able to take a family cruise to Alaska to celebrate 50 years of marriage. She lovingly preserved those memories and many other special occasions by creating Shutterfly books for her family to enjoy for years to come.
One of the greatest blessings of her life was seeing her daughter Stacey marry a kind and caring husband, Brandon. The arrival of her grandchildren, Brayden and Lindsey, brought her immeasurable joy. She treasured every moment spent with them and delighted in watching them grow. She enjoyed countless hours watching her grandchildren at soccer games, gymnastics, and band concerts.
Paula was preceded in death by her father, Paul Quinten Garrett; her mother, Martha Jean Garrett; and her brothers, Dale and Randy Garrett.
She is survived by her husband of 51 years, Dan; her daughters, Stacey (Brandon) Peterson and Kelley Zaiontz; and her beloved grandchildren, Brayden and Lindsey Peterson. She is also survived by her sister, Sandra (Kirk) McClellan.
Her nieces and nephews include Michelle Ybanez, Michael (Kimberly) Garrett, Keri (David) Zimmerman, and Tyler (Melissa) McClellan. She is further survived by her great-nieces and great-nephews: Trey Ybanez, Quinten Zimmerman, Addison McClellan, Levi Ybanez, Eli Zimmerman, Austin McClellan, Phoebe Zimmerman, and Kassidy Garrett, along with numerous extended family members, dear friends, and neighbors.
Honorary pallbearers are Kirk McClellan, Michael Garrett, Tyler McClellan, David Zimmerman, Russell Norlie, Trey Ybanez, Quinten Zimmerman, Brayden Peterson, and Michael Zaiontz.
Paula will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her servant's heart, and her deep love for her family and community. Her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched.
