Rev. Paula Stover is a native of Sumter, South Carolina, the mother of two adult children, and the grandmother of two little girls.

Paula is a Pharmacist by training, most recently working as the Vice President of Clinical Operations at Tandem Health in Sumter.

She is a licensed local pastor on track to be ordained as an Elder in the South Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. She grew up a member of Trinity UMC in Sumter from 1978 until she entered full time ministry in 2021. There she taught several adult Sunday School classes, led small groups, served as Liturgist, the chair of the Stewardship Committee and was on the Finance Committee and Church Council among other leadership roles. 

Paula is a Sustaining Member of the Sumter Junior Welfare League and until last year served as the Honorary Commander for the 50th Medical Group at Shaw AFB.

She loves the beach and loves to read and considers herself a lifelong learner. She is currently working on a Masters of Divinity at Union Presbyterian Seminary’s Charlotte campus lacking only four electives to complete the degree.

Paula comes to us from Lamar UMC and is looking forward to our journey and growth in Grace as disciples of Christ together as Socastee UMC.