Elsie Edwards Paris

Elsie Edwards Paris passed away in peace at her home in Jackson, Mississippi on Wednesday morning, December 28, 2016, under the watchful eyes of her dear friends and loving care givers, Jeanette Lewis, Daphne Blackmon Jones, and Barbara Mitchell. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 31st at 11:00 a.m. at Parkway Funeral Home, 1161 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland,Mississippi. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. A graveside service and interment will be on Monday, January 2, in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Starkville, Mississippi at 1:00 p.m.

Elsie Mae Edwards was born on April 14, 1926, to Reverend Clarence Grover Edwards and Martha May Edwards in Cleveland, Mississippi, the ninth of ten children and one adopted son. She grew up and attended school in Starkville, Mississippi, where she eventually met and married her first husband, James Ola "Doss" Dorsett. Their happiness was interrupted on December 21, 1950, when Major Dorsett passed away unexpectedly, leaving her behind with two small children and a mother lion-like will to care for them with all her might. Demetrius Paris, a young man with a bright future who was working his way through school at Mississippi State, spotted her one day and they formed a bond which led to their marriage and a move to Atlanta, Georgia, where he eventually became head of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Georgia Institute of Technology. His life as a college professor and administrator brought out her gifts of nurturing friendships, bringing people together, and later mentoring young faculty wives. Always about people and their needs, and always willing to be of service wherever she found herself, she spent many years teaching Sunday School to five-year olds, leadingBrownie and Cub Scout troops, volunteering at her children's schools, running the PTA, and infusing new life into the Georgia Tech Faculty Wives Club. She was a gifted and diligent homemaker, a cook and seamstress beyond compare, every man's dream of a supportive andloyal wife, and the absolute best mother. Elsie possessed an uncommon degree of common sense and a practical knowledge of most anything imaginable. She was blessed with astounding wisdom, which she freely and shamelessly shared, and a sense of fairness that not many possess. She was honest, truthful, and sincere. She had a passion for music and for dancing, whether it was the jitterbug, a waltz, or a Greek folk dance. But above all, she had a beautiful and caring spirit filled heart. She loved all people from all walks of life, and sheclearly let them know. She championed the underdog, and advocated energetically for children at every opportunity. She made the very best she could of the ninety years God gave her, always honoring the lessons she learned from her beloved parents.

Mrs. Paris was predeceased by her parents, her two beloved husbands, a great grandson, E. Y. Thompson, and all her siblings but one. She issurvived by her sister, Myrtis Edwards Keltner (Clint) of Mobile. She leaves behind her daughter, Cheryl Dorsett Thompson and her husband Clifford of Jackson, Misssissippi, and her son, James 0. Dorsett and his wife, Dorinda of Dallas, GA. Her grandchildren are Ted Thompson(Kimberly), Jim Thompson (Ashley), Ben Thompson, Nan Thompson Katsaboulas (Kanello), all of the Jackson area, David Dorsett (Lauren),Roswell, Georgia, and Sam Dorsett (Maggie) of Charleston S.C. and David and Sam's mother, Becky Worthington Dorsett. Also surviving are six precious great grandchildren, Kate and Abby Katsaboulas, Doss Thompson, Cora Thompson, Thomas Dorsett, Jimmy Dorsett,and a number of well loved nieces and nephews. Very special thanks to all the dear ones who helped care for her in the last eight years. Youknow who you are!

Memorial gifts in her name may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN or to any charity which serves the needs of children.