Date of birth: 29 Aug 1902
Date of death: 02 Dec 1976

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Burial Information

Section 07 (Click Here for Section Map)
Cemetery: Beth El Cemetery
Plot:
Status: Occupied

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Notes

Birth: 29 Aug 1902 - Sandersville, Washington Co., GA
Death: 02 Dec 1976 - Lexington, Holmes Co., MS
Marriage: 1929 - Lexington, Holmes Co., MS
Burial: 03 Dec 1976 - Lexington, Holmes Co., MS

Obituary
Leading Citizen Dies After Lengthy Illness

LeRoy Henry Paris, 74, a leading citizen of Lexington and Holmes County, died Thursday, December 2 after a lengthy illness. Mr. Paris had been in the Holmes County Community Hospital for the past several months.

Funeral services were held at the Southern Funeral Home Chapel in Lexington at 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 3 with burial in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. Rabbi Allen Schwartzman of Vicksburg officiated the services.

Mr. Paris, a native of Sandersville, Georgia, moved to Lexington in 1925 where he was employed for a short time with the Merchants and Farmers Bank before going to work with Lewis Grocer Company in 1926.

In 1929 he married the former Irma Herrman of Lexington.

He served the Lewis Grocer Company in many capacities during the years and at the time of his death was company's senior vice president. Mr. Paris was also chairman of the Board of Gas Equipment Supply Company of Atlanta. Georgia.

Mr. Paris was a member and past president of Temple Beth El in Lexington, a Shriner and a thirty-second degree mason, the first chairman of the Mississippi Mayor's Advisory Committee on Bi-Racial Activities, an original stockholder of the Holmes County Bank & Trust Company and a long-time member of the Holmes County Library Board.

Probably the most important thing about LeRoy Paris that could be said is what was said of him by his fellow citizens. On March 11, 1976 he was nominated as Holmes County's Best Citizen and on March 30 he was presented that award.

It was on this occasion that his fellow citizens had the opportunity express publicly how they felt about LeRoy Paris, friend and neighbor.

These letters said of LeRoy Paris: "Not only does he have multitudes of friends, but he is a friend - a true friend - to the less fortunate from all walks of life. He has never judged men by their wealth or position, but is ready to be a real friend to any person,"

"Shakespeare could easily have had LeRoy Paris in mind when he penned the words 'The evil men do lives after them: the good is oft interred with their bones. There is no more modest man anywhere than Mr. Paris. It is only from others that one learns how many poor have been fed, how many owe their education to his generosity, how many in trouble he has befriended, or how many he has cheered and strengthened with words of encouragement and hope.

"Because he has not desired credit for himself, we don't know of all his benevolent acts but individually we know that he is one of the most generous men we have ever known."

Mr. Paris was long active in the business, civic, social and religious circles of Holmes County and Mississippi. He was a former member of the executive committee of the Andrew Council Boy Scouts of America, a former member of the state board of the Young Men's Christian Association, past president of the Mississippi Wholesale Grocery Association and former member and past president of the Durant Rotary Club.

He was the son of the late Henry Paris and Pauline Hermann.

His survivors include his wife, Mrs. Irma Paris: one son, Henry Paris of Indianola; one brother, Hermann Paris of Atlanta; three grandchildren, LeRoy Henry Paris, II, of University, Miss. Irma Paris and Rachel Paris, both of Indianola.

Pallbearers were: J. Lester Crain of Memphis, John H. Curtis of Memphis; Dr. Ralph Daniel of Jackson: Morris Lewis, Jr. and Celian H. Lewis of Indianola, Herman Flowers. Herbert Hyman, Wilburn Hooker. Pat M. Barrett, Will B. Barrett, William Ellis, Will D. Wilson. Dr. Paul B. Brumby. J. M. McRae and C. A. "Bud" Moore, all of Lexington: and E. L. McCarty of Atlanta. Georgia.

The family request that any memorials be made to: Temple Beth El in Lexington, American Cancer Society or the Paul B. Brumby Coronary Care Unit at the Holmes County Community Hospital.

The Holmes County Herald – Page 1
Lexington, MS
December 9, 1976

Family Relations of LeRoy Henry Paris

Parents:

Henry Paris

Pauline Hermann Paris

Siblings:

Rachel Theresa Paris

LeRoy Henry Paris

Hermann Paris

Spouse:

Irma Herrman Paris

More information, family relationships, and images may be found by CLICKING HERE (external link)

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