Catherine Grace Jones “Kay” Paris

Mrs. Catherine Grace Jones “Kay” Paris, 77, died Thursday, January 23, 2025, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi. The funeral will be Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 11:00 A.M. at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church of Oxford with The Right Reverend Duncan Gray, The Reverend Jennifer Southall, and The Reverend Hugh Jones officiating. Visitation will be held prior to the service beginning at 9:30 A.M. in the atrium of the church. Burial will follow the service in Hopewell Cemetery.

Kay was born on June 23, 1947, in Flushing, New York, to the late Margaret Grace McCorkle and Charles Nevin Jones. As a dedicated teacher’s assistant, she worked for both the Oxford and Lafayette County School Districts, finding purpose and joy in her work with young minds. Beyond her work, Kay gave back to her community in many ways, especially through her work with children across several decades in Oxford and Lafayette County. As a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, she followed her heart’s calling to teach and care for the children of the congregation. Her gracious, loving heart touched the lives of multiple generations, and she considered it a privilege to work with each one. Several families entrusted Kay to provide at home childcare, where she lovingly looked after each child as if they were her own. When her daughter, Peggy, was a girl scout, she dove right in alongside her, becoming Troop Leader for several years.

Through her work with the Oxford Literacy Council, Kay donated countless hours to teaching English to people as a second language. Her patience was a gift to her students, who excelled with her support. A member of the Cursillo Community, she nurtured her faith in God, focusing especially on how she could further serve those in her life. Kay was a devoted and loving mother to her two children, Peggy and Chuck, and cherished her grandkitties, JoJo, Mel, Agnes, and Risto. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Josiah H. “Joe” Paris.

Kay is survived by her daughter, Margaret Louise “Peggy” Paris-Vogt and her husband, Gary, of Glendale, AZ; and her son, Charles Howard “Chuck” Paris of Oxford, MS.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Kay’s memory may be made to The Pantry of Oxford and Lafayette County, Post Office Box 588, Oxford, Mississippi 38655, or to Hopewell Water Association Assistance Fund, Post Office Box 366, Oxford, Mississippi 38655.