Paula Helwick Vondenstein

Paula Helwick Vondenstein, 69, of Gulfport, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at home on January 20, 2024 from complications of cancer.  Paula was a native and longtime resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. She graduated from Gulfport East High School and studied journalism at both the University of Dallas and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Paula was an evangelist, entrepreneur, producer and lyricist of Gospel music for Bible Belt Blues. Before discovering her music ministry gifts, Paula served the world through her love of fashion.  Her impeccable attention to detail and unmatched interpersonal skills (20 years as a top producing Pacesetter) made her the highest producer at Dillard's Memorial City Mall in Houston before moving back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast where she helped countless people across the coast look and feel their best.

 Paula always dreamed of getting married, and at the age of 61, her dream came true! She married the love of her life Harold Vondenstein in 2015 in Gulfport, and the two began the journey of creating Christian blues music together. As the lyricist and producer of Bible Belt Blues, Paula's focus was to write Biblically sound messages of repentance and salvation. She believed a song could soften a hardened heart to be receptive to the gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Paula said, “It’s the lyrics that make a song Christian; the bolder, the better. Soft and fluffy lyrics do not win souls for Christ.” Bible Belt Blues songs can be heard for no cost at (https://biblebeltblues.hearnow.com/)  All glory and honor goes to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 Paula is preceded in death by her father, Eldridge Anthony Helwick Sr., her mother, Quincy Louise Winston Helwick and her eldest brother Eldridge Anthony Helwick II.  Survivors include her husband, Harold Vondenstein, and siblings: Lindsey Helwick of Gulfport, Louis Helwick of Gulfport, Joe Helwick of Gulfport, Dottie (Danny) Goad of Long Beach, Imelda Helwick of San Antonio, Texas, Rosie Winston of Fairfax, Virginia, and Mary Quincy Winston of Rockville Centre, New York, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Her loving Chihuahua pups for over 11 years also survive her: CoCo, Cody and Casey.  

A private funeral service for immediate family and close friends will be at Floral Hills Memorial Gardens in Gulfport, Mississippi on February 7th, 2024. A Celebration of Life Event for all who knew and loved Paula will follow the burial from 12pm to 3pm at Riemann Family Funeral Home located at 11280 Three Rivers Rd, Gulfport, MS 39503.  

Paula's favorite Bible verse is 2Chronicles 714: "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."