Barbara Paris Obituary

Barbara Mildred Paris, 97, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 2, 2023, surrounded by family. Born in San Francisco, California, she was the daughter of the late Creswell Harris Potts and Helen Thomas Potts. She was predeceased by an older brother, John O. Potts, and younger brother, Thomas H. Potts; her mother-in-law, Violet E. Paris; and a son, Craig P. Paris. Surviving are her daughter, Deborah P. Morgan, and son, Scott E. Paris; grandchildren, Jennifer Paris-Schley, Adam Q. Gentry, Lane M. Bowen, Drew E. Morgan, and Taylor E. Paris; sister-in-law, Diane A. Potts; daughter-in-law, Angela Paris; grandsons-in-law, Breck Bowen and Glenn Schley; and numerous nieces, nephews, and great-grandchildren. Her friends are too numerous to acknowledge individually without breaking the bank.

Also known as G-ma and Gigi, Barbara survived the Great Depression, witnessed the attack at Pearl Harbor, danced at the USO, and attended junior college before marrying Edward J. Paris in 1947. She played her part serving this country as an Army wife, traveling to Japan, Michigan, Germany, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Okinawa, among other duty stations, always the life of the local Officers' Wives Club functions. After her husband retired to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1967, Barb was employed at the University of Kansas English Department, where she met her lifelong friends, Jane Garrett and Don Warders. She was an avid KU Jayhawks basketball fan and renowned for her parties. Barb always required herself to clean up the house before going anywhere, even to bed, a discipline she unfortunately bestowed on a number of her children and grandchildren. She also handed down her conviction improper grammar or spelling should be corrected at once.

When Barbara retired from KU in 1991, she moved to South Carolina to be near family. She loved the beach, Christmas ornament exchanges, genealogy, concerts, puzzles, and gameshows. Tales of her sly wit abound. She was a wonderful mom who shouldered the responsibilities of caring for her children when their father was overseas. As her children grew, their friends became Barb's friends, with some attachments lasting decades. She will be greatly missed.

Barbara was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Lawrence and attended St. John's Episcopal Church in Columbia. No formal services will be held. Instead, the family intends to gather with friends and other family members to commemorate Barb over the next weeks and months.

The family wishes to acknowledge her caregivers, Carol and Allison of Always Best Care, who were wonderful companions prior to the pandemic; and Ebony, Donna, and Chris of Agape Care Group of South Carolina, who offered invaluable hospice care during Barbara's last days.

Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, is assisting the family. The family would appreciate anecdotes and memories being shared at www.dunbarfunerals.com.