Paula Davis Heller's Obituary
Paula Davis Heller, a beloved mother, grandmother, wife, and a vibrant pillar of the East Texas arts community, passed away peacefully on July 12, 2026, at the age of 68.
Born on February 27, 1958, in Carthage, Texas, Paula was the cherished daughter of Willie Darrell Davis and Nelwyn Davis Matthews. She grew up in the region she loved so dearly, graduating from Longview High School in 1976. In her early professional years, Paula brought her sharp mind and warm personality to the local real estate and real estate appraisal fields.
However, her true professional and personal calling blossomed in the early 1990s. While dedicatedly raising her children, Paula embarked on her own artistic journey. This passion for creativity evolved into a lifelong mission to champion the arts in Longview. In 2002, she began volunteering at the Longview Museum of Fine Arts (LMFA). Her talent and infectious enthusiasm quickly led to a staff role as Events Coordinator, and she ultimately served in vital leadership roles-including Assistant to the Director and Education Director-until 2016. She was also a dedicated supporter of the Longview Symphony and a passionate advocate for Downtown Longview’s Art Walk.
Paula’s dream of elevating local talent culminated in the creation of P’s Gallery. The gallery was more than just an exhibition space; it was a sanctuary for local artists and a vibrant hub where poets, musicians, and creatives could share their passions. Even when she paused operations in 2011 to lovingly care for her mother, Paula’s dedication never wavered. She proudly revived the gallery on Judson Road from 2016 to 2019, later transitioning her efforts online to ensure local artists continued to receive the recognition they deserved. Paula’s mantra was simple yet powerful: she fiercely encouraged every artist to follow their dreams and make them happen.
In February 2020, Paula found a beautiful new chapter of love and companionship when she married James “Jim” Heller, who shared in her journey and brought immense joy to her final years.
Family was the canvas of Paula’s heart, and she poured boundless love into the lives of those she held closest. Her legacy of love, warmth, and creativity will be deeply cherished by her husband, James “Jim” Heller, and her children, Stephanie Ramey Peters and her husband Zachary Alan Peters, and Carl Dustin Eberhart, all of Longview. She was a proud and doting grandmother to Miriam Ayn Peters, Trex Alan Peters, and Carl Meyers Eberhart, each of whom brought immense joy to her life. Through her marriage to Jim, Paula’s family grew to include her stepchildren, Jeffrey Heller and his wife Brenna, and Holly Kindt and her husband Brandon, all of Charlotte, North Carolina. She took great pride in welcoming their children, Taylor, Harper, and Cooper, into her heart as her grandchildren. Paula also leaves behind a large, close-knit family of many cousins and relatives whom she loved dearly and who loved her deeply in return..
Paula was reunited in heaven with her parents, Willie Darrell Davis and Nelwyn Davis Matthews, and her beloved brother, Mickey Davis.
Memorial Donations
In lieu of flowers, and to honor Paula’s lifelong dedication to nurturing local creativity, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Arts! Longview.
Donate here: https://artslongview.org/donate/
"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life." Paula spent her life making sure the soul of Longview was always bright, colorful, and inspired. She will be deeply missed, but her legacy will continue to color our community forever.
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