Grant Allen Paris' Obituary
Mr. Grant Allen Paris, 81, passed away on December 26, 2024 in Jacksonville, Alabama at the
Jacksonville Nursing home after a long illness. A service will be held on January 12, 2025 in
memory of both Grant and his late wife, Carolyn Ann Curry Paris (dec. July 22, 2023) at the
First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville at 2:00 pm with Visitation starting at 1:00 pm.
Honorary pallbearers include his friends, the Romeos, and the men of the Jacksonville FUMC
Chancel Choir.
He was a Calhoun County native but graduated from Headline HS in East Point, GA in 1961 and
was a graduate of Jacksonville State College with a Music Education degree having played
trombone in the Marching Southerners. He sang in both the A cappella Choir and the Chamber
Singers.
He taught a short time as a 4th Grade teacher prior to his study of law. He graduated from
Cumberland School of Law at Samford University. After being a self-employed attorney in
Jacksonville, he was associated with a Law Firm in Anniston AL. He served as an attorney for a
long time with both the City of Jacksonville and later for the Anniston First United Methodist
Church. Friends described him as a respected member of the legal profession and citizens had
much confidence in him as the city attorney. One attorney who knew him well commented that
he was a “fierce defender of the City of Jacksonville. Always a man of integrity.”
He and his wife, Carolyn (Curry) Paris were always active serving their churches in many ways.
They were both committed Christians always choosing to sing in church choirs, be members of
Sunday School classes and serve in special ways. He was a well-respected choral director
serving several churches which include Union Methodist Church of Wellington, FUMC in
Piedmont, Al, FUMC in Jacksonville as well as being a member of the Chancel Choir at the
Anniston FUMC. He played trombone for a short time with the civic ensemble, the Cheaha
Winds.
Grant was not only a talented musician but an intellectual ready with a funny story or a joke to
share. He was known by all for his unique humor. He was interested in many and varied
pursuits and hobbies from traveling, square dancing, and supporting church and community
group projects. As a business man he owned rental property in Jacksonville handling all repairs
himself. Early on he owned a Candle Shop on the Jacksonville Square. He owned a 1929 Model
A Ford which he worked on every time he drove it which included his participating in local
parades. He was also known as a Certified Handyman who in his later years was involved in
difficult renovation projects in their historic home. He was always willing to share these skills
with his friends and neighbors when they needed his help.
Traveling and especially camping with close friends at their favorite locations in the South was a
highlight of their retirement. They frequently stopped to shop at antique shops and to enjoy the
many restaurants along the way. He loved to shop for tools and unusual objects of interest. They
frequented Crossville, TN to attend theatre productions, visited their Amish friends in Holmes
County, OH and camped often with close friends near West Point, GA on the river.
He is survived by stepchildren, Angela (Trent) Kuykendall of Auburn, AL and Alan L. Paris of
Jacksonville, AL; grandchildren, Kristyn Kuykendall, Sean Kuykendall and Macy Kuykendall;
great-grandchildren, Kinsley McCain, Amelia McBurney and Phoebe McBurney.
Mr. Paris is preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Carolyn Curry Paris, his parents, Howard
and Georgia Waterhouse Paris, and two sisters, Rachel Barge and Georgia Lee Jobson.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Jacksonville First United Methodist Choir
Fund.
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