Longtime Brenau 'friend' dies

GAINESVILLE - A Gainesville woman, who devoted much of her life to numerous Brenau University alumnae leadership roles, has died.

Mary Foote Simmons Paris, 96, died Friday following a brief illness.

Mrs. Paris was born in Thomaston, Georgia, but moved to Gainesville at an early age when her father became professor and head of the English department at Brenau College.

Mrs. Paris graduated from Brenau College in 1930. In the years following graduation, she assumed numerous alumnae leadership roles - recruiting new students, leading the national alumnae board, helping fund the school's endowment and renovation of Pearce Auditorium, and serving as a founding member of the Archives Committee.

In 1989, Mrs. Paris received the Service to Brenau Award, and in 1993, Brenau presented her the prestigious Mary Mildred Sullivan Award in recognition of those in the community who possess "spiritual qualities, personal integrity, leadership and harmonious working relationships." In 2002, Mrs. Paris was inducted into the Brenau Alumni Hall of Fame for her "outstanding contributions to her country, state, community and Brenau University." The stained glass window in the John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts was given to Brenau by her family in honor of her long association and devotion to Brenau.

Mrs. Paris' additional community activities included the Gateway Garden Club, the Fine Arts Study Club and the Gainesville Junior Service League. She was a long time active member of the Gainesville First United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Paris was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Thomas H. Paris, Sr., a prominent Gainesville businessman.

Memorial services are scheduled for 2:00 Monday at First United Methodist Church.