Paul Cullen

Paul Shelby Cullen, age 89, went to be with his Lord and Savior Saturday, April 16, 2011, in Jourdanton, TX. He was born October 22, 1921 in San Antonio, to Oscar Turner Cullen and Ethel Summers Cullen, their 4th child. He graduated from Harlandale High School in San Antonio, and from Baylor University in Waco. On August 28, 1943 he married Ida Mabel Wright, his lifelong sweetheart. They attended Fort Worth Theological Seminary for one year, in view of a call to missions. Paul graduated from Baylor Medical School in 1948. Two children, John and Paulette, were born during his medical training. In 1950, Paul and family went to Eku, Nigeria as a medical missionary under the Southern Baptist Mission Board. Two more children, Mark and Jeanine, were born in Eku. Paul helped build the Eku Baptist Hospital and brought modern medicine to the local people. Often Paul had to rely on his wits and creativity and help from his family back home to solve construction problems, electrical problems, and even specialty medical problems. He left missionary service in 1957 when his wife Ida became ill. He then specialized in Pathology and practiced medicine in Houston for over 25 years, serving as deacon at Second Baptist Church and teaching in the Forum Bible Class. Paul and Ida were active alumni of Baylor being members of the Baylor Heritage Club and the Old Main Society, and donors to the Baylor Student Foundation. He retired in 1989 to 82 acres in Austin County near Brenham, and was a faithful member and deacon of First Baptist Church of Brenham. He learned some animal husbandry, enjoyed his cows, and even after age 80 carried sacks of feed for the calves. Paul continued his interest in missions, and went to annual reunions for retired missionaries, and once to a meeting for medical volunteers. After Ida died in December 2007, his son Mark moved Paul to Jourdanton, south of San Antonio. We are grateful to AMA Home Care in the Brenham area, and in Jourdanton to Argent Court Assisted Living and Julie''s Care Home. Paul is survived by one sister, Alma Ruth Cullen Chambers; two sons John Marshall Cullen and wife Sharon Elliott of Houston, and Mark Paige Cullen and wife Djenadi Mills of Pleasanton; and one daughter Paulette C. Brown and husband Leo of Baton Rouge, LA. Paul is also survived by ten grandchildren: Caleb Cullen and partner Daniel Hamel of Toronto, Canada; Matthew Cullen of Houston; Kenneth Brown of Waco; Richard Brown and wife Gina of Baton Rouge, LA; and Lisa Brown of Houston; Dr. Benjamin Cullen and wife Lorna of Mt. Clement, MI; Luke Cullen of Pleasanton; Andrew Cullen and wife Estrella, of Pleasanton; Ruth Cullen Henager and husband Alan of Duncan, OK; and David Thomas Alexander Jr. of Sugarland. Paul is also survived by four great-grandchildren and six nephews. Paul was preceded in death by his brother Ben W. Cullen, and two sisters Helen Ethel Cullen and Vera Mae Cullen Grace; and by his daughter Jeanine C. Alexander in February 2003. He died just before Palm Sunday, and made his own triumphal entry into the presence of Our Lord. No doubt he sang "Hallelujah! Services will be held on Thursday, April 21 at 11:00 AM at First Baptist Church, 304 N. Market, Brenham, with Rev. Steve Ponder officiating. Family will receive visitors at the church in Brenham one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at the Prairie Lea Cemetery in Brenham. Memorials may be made to the Wycliffe Bible Translators www.Wycliffe.org or the Brenham First Baptist Church building fund. Local funeral arrangements are entrusted to Memorial Oaks Chapel, 1306 West Main Street, Brenham, TX 77833. 979836-4564