Bess Wells Paris passed away in Dallas, Texas on October 13, 2021 at age 86 after a long illness.
Bess was the youngest of three daughters born to Annie Morton Wells and William Gates Wells of Platte City, Missouri. She was named “Bess” in honor of her father’s devotion to his first cousin, First Lady Bess Wallace Truman.
As a teen Bess became the Missouri Parallel Parking Champion, slotting the family Chevrolet (sans power steering, of course) into the parking space in nine seconds. After graduation from Platte City High School in 1953, Bess attended the University of Missouri – Columbia, earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education in 1957. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, as were her two older sisters. All three of the “Wells Girls” served as Chapter President during their respective collegiate tenures, the only family trio at Mizzou to do so. Bess was tapped for LSV her junior year, a service organization recognized as the highest honor bestowed upon a student at the University.
During Bess’s senior year at MU, one of her sorority sisters, Janet Paris, introduced Bess to her brother, Bob Paris. After a whirlwind romance, Bess and Bob became engaged and married in October 1957. They settled in West Plains, Missouri, Bob’s hometown, where he was the third-generation owner of West Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Bess and Bob made their home on East Main Street in the Tudor house built by Bob’s grandparents in the 1930s. Three children completed their family – a daughter, Ann Frances; and two sons, Robert Gates and Samuel Wells.
Bess was an extraordinary hostess, entertaining easily and often. She set beautiful tables and prepared delicious food, not only for her guests but for her family every day. She was a splendid seamstress as well, making virtually all of her clothes and those for Ann Frances. Bess loved luxurious fabrics and thought nothing of a quick trip to Kansas City to pick up some more material from her favorite fabric store. She learned to play bridge as a teenager, and it remained a favorite lifelong hobby.
After Bob’s death in 1989, Bess moved to Columbia, Missouri in the early 1990s. She continued to entertain, play bridge, and enjoy an active social life while living there. In 2014, Bess moved to Nashville to an independent living community near her son, Sam, and his family. Later, she moved to Dallas to live near Ann Frances and her family. Bess grew up in the First Christian Church of Platte City, and as an adult, joined the United Methodist churches in West Plains, Columbia, Nashville, and lastly, Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas.
Throughout her life, Bess made and cherished many friends wherever she lived. These friends showed her great love and devotion throughout her life, particularly in her final years, and Ann Frances and Sam will be forever thankful to them. Bess’s family would like to thank and express appreciation to the caring staff of Iris Memory Care – Turtle Creek and Anchor of Hope Hospice for their compassionate and loving care during the last months of Bess’s life.
Preceded in death by her parents; her husband Robert Gum Paris; her son Robert Gates Paris; and her sister Ann Wells White; Bess is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Ann Frances Paris Jury and Clifford Stephen Jury of Dallas, Texas; her son and daughter-in-law, Samuel Wells Paris and Susan Hickman Paris of Brentwood, Tennessee; her four grandchildren, Helen Frances Jury, Andrew Wells Jury, Anne Dowl Paris, and Lily Gates Paris; her sister and brother-in-law, Helen Wells Wilson and Dr. John Edward Wilson; her sister-in-law, Janet Paris Newman; and eight nieces and nephews.
A graveside service officiated by Rev. Duane L. Van Giesen will be held on Monday, November 15, at 11:00 a.m. at the Paris plot of Oak Lawn Cemetery in West Plains, Missouri, where Bess will be interred between her husband, Bob, and her son, Gates. In the case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the chapel at Carter Funeral Home. A reception will follow at the Historic Post Office, 204 East Main Street.
The family requests that for those who may wish to make a memorial gift in Bess’s name, please consider the University of Missouri’s Truman School of Public Affairs Fund for Excellence, c/o Michael Kateman, 306 Reynolds Alumni Center, Columbia, MO 65211 (https://mizzougivedirect.missouri.edu/fund.aspx?item_id=695) or a charity of your choice.
“Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.” – Isaiah 12:2
