Mahlon Sealy Paulk

Published in The Opelika-Auburn News from 8/17/2008 - 8/18/2008

Mahlon Sealy Paulk, age 75, a resident of Montgomery, died on Friday, August 15, 2008 after an eight-month battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sue Walker Paulk, three daughters, Mala Kelley (Neal), Sheri McKean (Rory) of Montgomery and Lisa Roberts (Bill) of Phenix City, Alabama, seven grandchildren, Landon Michele McKean, Hadley Susan Kelley, Rory Mahlon McKean, Hollee Marie Roberts, Peyton Sealy Kelley, Addison Sayre Kelley, and Haysten Sue Roberts, and his mother-in-law, Alma Crumpler Walker as well as a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Born in rural Montgomery County, he was known as "the Ramer Rocket" and earned an athletic scholarship to Troy where he was named captain of the football and baseball teams as well as the outstanding scholar-athlete. He was a coach, teacher, and athletic director and earned a master's degree from Auburn University before making a career change to become a financial planner with AXA-Equitable.

In addition to his involvement as a leader in various professional organizations, including the Life Insurance Association and Estate Planning, he was a civic activist, serving as president of the Jimmy Hitchcock Memorial Award Committee, Montgomery Blue-Gray Association, and the Montgomery Lions' Club where he was named "Lion of the Year."

He was named an Honorary Lifetime member of the Alabama Congress of PTAs and served the YMCA as a member of the Boys and Girls Work Committee and an advisor for the Alabama Youth Legislature. In 2006 he was named a MACOA citizen of the year.

Out of his passion for church education and growth, he was instrumental in helping form two new churches, Taylor Road and Vaughn Forest, growing as missions from Eastern Hills and First Baptist Church.

He helped develop the FAITH evangelistic program, training over 200 churches throughout the nation and foreign countries. He also helped initiate and chair the Community of Hope Council, focusing on inner-city ministry and was involved in numerous other boards and committees associated with missions, church administration, and Sunday school.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Augustus and Ethel Sealy Paulk, his brothers, William, Otto, and Ed Paulk, and his father-in-law, Elgin Martin Walker.

Visitation will be at Alabama Heritage on Sunday, August 17 from 3 to 5 p.m. with funeral services to be held on Monday, August 18 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Jay Wolf officiating followed by burial at Alabama Heritage.

Pallbearers include Dr. Bill Campbell, Robert Finley, Hardy Kirk, Gerald Paulk, Gordon Paulk, Gilbert Sellers, Holley Smith, and Fred Woolard. Honorary pallbearers will be Harry Brooks, Clinton Carter, Basil Manly, John Oliver, Montgomery County High School Class of 1951, the Montgomery Lions Club, and the First Baptist Church Adult 01 Men's Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests sending memorial contributions to First Baptist Church Caring Center. A true leader, he translated vision into reality, getting people to do what they may not want to do and liking it, and influenced others by setting the highest example of integrity, character, enthusiasm, and faithfulness.