Paulette Ann Litton

Paulette Ann Rines Litton, 76, passed away on February 16, 2024, following a lengthy and courageous battle with renal cell cancer. A beloved wife, mother, and “Mimi,” she leaves a gaping hole in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Paulette was born July 30, 1947, to Paul and Bertha Rines in Altoona, PA. She attended Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education. After teaching school for two years, Paulette moved to Washington D.C., where she worked on Capitol Hill  and met her future husband, John. Over the course of their 52-year marriage, they welcomed three children and seven grandchildren, who will forever carry on her legacy of loyalty and devotion. 

Shortly after marrying in 1972, Paulette and John settled in Florida, where she found her niche teaching middle school math. She spent most of her career at Tuskawilla Middle School in Oviedo, impacting thousands of young lives by instilling mathematical wisdom and personal values that extended far beyond the classroom. As an educator, some of Paulette’s most fulfilling moments came when students returned years later just to say thanks for her role in their life’s journey.

Paulette loved traveling, American history, Hallmark movies, FSU football, and a good political debate. She was fiercely committed to her family and would do anything for those she cared about. She found immense joy in spoiling her grandkids and always made sure their wants and needs were fulfilled. Above all, Paulette was known for her selfless nature and generous spirit. She rarely came across a charity she wouldn’t donate to or a person she wouldn’t sacrifice for, and she was known to secretly slip cash into her kids’ purses long after they reached adulthood.

Paulette called Lake Mary, FL, home for the majority of her adult life. She and John relocated to Brooksville, FL, in 2022, just a few months prior to her cancer diagnosis. They also lived part-time in Huntersville, NC, trying to split their time evenly among grandchildren.

Paulette is survived by her husband John; daughters Kerrie Jordan (Bradley) of Huntersville, NC, Lisa Bowen (Jason) of Denver, NC, and Kendall Jensen (Eric) of Spring Hill, FL; grandchildren Jackson Bowen (14), Wyatt Bowen (12), Aubree Jordan (12), Logan Jensen (11), Shelby Bowen (8), Emerson Jensen (7) and Hadley Jensen (3); sister Theodora Hulse; and various nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Paul Rines, and sister Patricia Chadwick. 

Paulette was the epitome of love, kindness, and everything good in the world. While we take comfort in knowing she is finally at peace and restored to perfect health, our lives will forever be emptier without her by our side. 

A graveside service for Paulette will be held Thursday, February 22, at 1 p.m. at Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Gardens, 1504 W. Sugar Creek Road in Charlotte, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Paulette’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Novant Health Foundation.