Obituary of Mildred Eleanor Paris

Mrs. Mildred Paris was born in Columbia SC. Educated from Walsh Grammar School and Crosby High Schools in Waterbury, Ct. She attended Hampton Institute, VA and received and Associates Degree in Business Administration from Mattatuck Community Collage, now known as Naugatuck Community Collage.

Mrs. Paris was employed 40 years at Worth’s Smiling Service, a popular retail store in Waterbury, from which she retired.  Also served as a substitute teacher for the Waterbury School System for many years.

Mrs. Paris a lifetime member of Grace Baptist Church, retired as the Junior Choir director for 70 years, financial secretary, church auditor, trustee, organist, church council member and longtime volunteer at the Senior Activity Hub.

She was a pillar in our community, with  a passion for young people. Held many positions in many organizations that had a mission that would impact our community in a positive way, including but not limited to:

One of the founding members, past president and youth program administrator of the Walnut Orange-Walsh Neighborhood Assoc. (WOW) for more than 20 yrs. Founding member and past president of the Waterbury Club, National Association of Negro Business and Professional Women’s Club, Inc.(Waterbury Chapter)  Past vice chairman of Waterbury Development Corp, past president of the Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS) of Waterbury, past member of Visions Task Force on Governmental Affairs, past member of the Mayor’s Task Force on Substance Abuse, Environmental Control Commission, and past member of  Waterbury Salvation Army Advisory Board.

She was a long time foster mother of at least 100 boys for over 25yrs.

She was predeceased by her parents James and Virginia (Nesbitt) Goodson, husband Booker T. Paris, and two children Diane W. Canady, and David Wright, one granddaughter, one great grandson all from Waterbury and six siblings.

  She is survived by eight grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 20 great- great grands. Many nieces and nephews and people she raised.

Services will be Friday February 1, 2019 at Grace Baptist Church 65 Kingsbury St, Waterbury, CT.  Calling hours: 10am-11am service begins at 11:00 am Burial will be at the convenience of the family. James R. Sanders, Funeral Director