Paula Evette Mills-Davis was born on October 6, 1969 to the late Betty Jo Boyce and Lowell Andrew McEntire in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Her adopted parents, Mrs. Josephine Mills and the late Mr. Brice Mills raised her in Forest City, North Carolina.

Paula graduated from Chase High School in Forest City, NC in 1987 and went on to graduate from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing and Fashion Design in 1991. Her daughter, Iyanna Davis, followed suit, and graduated from the same University in 2021.

To know Paula was to love her, she always had an infectious smile on her face and a positive outlook on life, no matter what circumstances were thrown her way. She was blessed with a particular ability to make everyone around her feel loved and special.

Paula loved to entertain; there wasn't a time you would be in her presence that she wouldn't send you home with a full stomach and a smile. Paula had a passion for fashion, and adored music, as well as interior design. She truly was, is, and will always be, a diva.

On June 1, 2024, she was called home, to finally be at peace.

Paula leaves behind her daughter Iyanna Davis and son Imari Davis; her mother Josephine Mills; her sisters Tonia Boyce, Monica Boyce, Florie Ann Boyce, Felissa Hunt (Michael), Carolyn Lee, Pamela Hamilton (James), Tina Wilkins and Ja'Naan McEntire. Her brothers David Petty, Danny Petty, Tarik McEntire, and the late Robert Petty, as well as an abundance of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and friends.

A service to celebrate Paula's life will be held on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 at 1:00 PM at the chapel of Enloe Mortuary, 231 N. Lafayette St. Shelby, NC.