Paula Taplin-Willis

Paula Jean was born April 27, 1965 at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She was the youngest child of Jeanette P. (nee Worch) and Vernon W. Taplin, Sr. She was baptized alongside her parents and siblings in 1976 at Messiah Baptist Church in Broadview, Illinois. 

She attended Proviso West High School where she learned to play the flute. She went on to attend college later in her life and earned a business certificate in 2022. During her life she worked myriad jobs, primarily in customer service. Her hard work, intelligence and unforgettable personality kept her in demand and often times promoted to advanced roles wherever she was employed. 

Paula lived life out loud always. She was fiercely devoted to her son, Stanley, Jr., grandson, Macai, and husband, Priest, as well as her friends and family. She was fun-loving -- the proverbial life of the party -- and the big kid auntie to her beloved nieces, nephew and cousins.

Paula passed away on September 2, 2025 at GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights, Illinois. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Jeanette and Vernon Taplin, Sr. and her brother Vernon Taplin, Jr.
 
Paula leaves many dear people to cherish her memory including her husband, Priest Willis, Sr.; her son Stanley Morris, Jr.; her grandson, Macai Semaj Zaire Morris; her sisters, Cheryl (David, Jr.) Stallworth and Theresa Taplin; as well as several nieces and grandnieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives and friends.

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