Paris Cemetery

06/11/2026

James M. Thomas, (1833-1905) was born in Little Rock, Kentucky and became very successful and wealthy in the lumber business. He is buried in the Thomas Mausoleum, which he surely designed, in the Paris Cemetery, a prominent feature of section F. His wife, Anne, and three of their children are buried there as well as his mother, some grandchildren and descendants, for a total of 16 burials. It is the largest mausoleum in the cemetery.
His obituary described how “Captain Thomas” raised a company for the Confederate Army in 1861 and served as its Captain, but in 1862 he went to Windsor, Canada with his family, where he stayed for the remainder of the War and began his lumber business. He returned to Kentucky in 1866, and expanded his business interests adding manufacturing and building as well as producing lumber in his planing mill in Estill County, KY. He served two terms in the Kentucky state Senate representing Clark, Bourbon, and Montgomery Counties. He was a well respected businessman.
His house was considered one of the largest and most lavishly ornamented houses in Bourbon County, but is no longer standing. It was next to his lumber yard, between Main St. and the railroad in the 13th block of Main St. The picture of his house you see was part of a newspaper article published in 1905, when his wife was still alive.

The Paris Cemetery is non-profit; all gifts are tax deductible. See pinned post at the top of the page or: https//venmo.com/parisemetery

06/08/2026

September 7, 1948 – May 31, 2026

Barbara Ann Wilson, 77, of Louisville ,in the quiet comfort of her home, slipped peacefully into eternal rest on Sunday morning, May 31, 2026.

Visitation 10-12 Saturday, June 13, 2026 at Seventh Street Christian Church, 122 W. Seventh Street, Paris, Kentucky. Funeral will follow at 12 noon. Burial Paris Cemetery 1603 South Main St.

Born on September 7, 1948, in Paris, Kentucky, Barbara was a woman whose presence filled every room with honesty, humor, and an unshakable sense of self. She was the daughter of William Allen Wilson and Bettye Rosa Wilson, both of whom preceded her in death, along with her beloved brother, Charles Kenneth Wilson.

Barbara was Paris, Kentucky through and through — raised in its close-knit community, shaped by its traditions, and rooted in its love. She remained there most of her life until illness required her to relocate to Louisville to be surrounded by family. Even then, her heart never left home.

At an early age, Barbara began her faith journey at 7th Street Christian Church. When she moved to Louisville, she continued that journey at No More Limits Christian Church.

Barbara’s work ethic was legendary-
After attending Paris Western High School, Barbara went to cosmetology school and did hair in her home while working nearly 20 years at Dura/Weaver Corporation - where she broke barriers by becoming the first and only female welder in the company’s history. Her hands were steady, her determination unmatched, and her pride in her work unmistakable.

When Dura/Weaver closed, Barbara attended Health Care Training School, earning her credentials as a Licensed Practical Nurse – serving patients across Lexington, Northern Kentucky, and Cincinnati through Caretenders. Caring for others wasn’t just a job — it was a calling she fulfilled with compassion.

Although she was a proud member of the Elks Club in Lexington, Barbara later transferring her membership to Jennie D. Porter Temple #727 in Cincinnati. She also co-founded one of the first “all-women riding” motorcycle clubs, the Steel Fillies, alongside her dear friend Lauryn. She loved her Night Hawk 750 and her Kawasaki 1100.

Barbara loved to color, write poetry, and lose herself in old cowboy shows. She was funny in a way that was effortless. Her children will forever laugh at the memory of her tossing out the Christmas tree each year because the house wasn’t clean before she and her sisters returned from Christmas shopping — a story that will be told for generations.

Barbara leaves to celebrate her life are her beloved children: Gregory C. Mack Jr. (Elona), Christine Mack, Deanna D. Lee (Emery), Nathan S. Mack Sr. (Latasha) and Leon M. Mack (Debbie), three sisters – Virginia Sue Wilson, Carolyn W. Bruton and Stacey Wilson, three brothers William A. Wilson, Christopher A. Wilson and Joshua Wilson, fourteen grandchildren – Ciara Gardner, Justice Marmara Mack, Garrison Mack, Tiyon Mack, Jeshua Finley(Paige), Robyn Riley, Nathan Mack II, Nora Mack, Natali Mack, Nia Mack, Erica Neal, Darius Mack, Jessalyn Mack, Micah Mack, one great grand Nala Mack and a host of other relative and friends.

Though her earthly journey has ended, the imprint of her life remains — in the stories told, the lessons learned, the love shared, and the strength she passed down.

05/24/2026

Flags and bottled water will be handed out.

05/23/2026

Louis Frank (1832-1910) is buried in the Paris Cemetery in section P along with his wife Julia Amende Frank and all of their eight children, and some of their spouses, and grandchildren. His obituary says he was born in Schlichten, Germany, and according to the 1910 census, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1848. His wife was from Germany as well, and immigrated in 1856. They met in Paris, where Mr. Frank was visiting his sister, and Louis and Julia married in 1863. Mr. Frank had a dry goods store at 402 Main St. where bank offices stand today. He was described in his obituary as the leading dry goods merchant of Paris, and goes on to describe how he began his career as a peddler, selling dry goods and notions house to house. He was very successful because his store is described in the obituary as one of the largest in Kentucky which he operated for 55 years. He was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Bourbon Bank. Two of his children, Louis and Ben, were doctors and, Julian, attended Cornell.
In 1884 he bought a house on Ardery Place from the Deposit Bank of Paris. His family lived there for years even after his death. That house is the one known now as the Memorial Building, and was conveniently located near his store on Main St.

The Paris Cemetery is non-profit, all gifts are tax deductible. See pinned post at the top of the page or https://venmo.com/pariscemetery

05/20/2026

A glimpse into the movie “The O***m Equation A Cat Enright Mystery that was filmed yesterday at Paris Cemetery. We definitely had a great experience and can’t wait to see the final result.

05/16/2026

Press release about movie being filmed.

05/14/2026

Kay George Shumate, 87, of Paris, wife of the late Clifford Wayne Shumate, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2026 at Baptist Health-Lexington. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 P.M. Friday, May 15th in the Paris Cemetery. Memorial contributions are suggested to Shriners Children's Lexington. Complete obituary information and condolences are available at www.mathersgaunce.com.

05/11/2026

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05/09/2026

05/03/2026

Benedict B. Marsh (1808-1875) and his brother Thomas K. Marsh (1804-1866) were born and died in Bourbon County. Their parents Beal Marsh and his wife Eleanor came to Bourbon County from Maryland in the county’s very early history. The Marsh farm was on the edge of the town of Paris, where the Legion Park and the Skateboard Park are now located.
The story is that Benedict was not interested in farming and went to Philadelphia where he learned the trade of silversmithing. He returned to Kentucky and taught his older brother Thomas the trade. They were successful and well-known silversmiths in Bourbon County for many years. They worked with coin silver which was in style at the time, very simple and beautiful. Silversmiths did actually melt silver coins to produce their pieces. Coin silver generally has less silver than sterling silver, about 90%, compared to 92.5% for sterling, but standards were not very strict until after 1868. The brothers’ silver was marked B.B. Marsh or T.K. Marsh, Paris Ky and sometimes both names were on a piece of silver. They were making silver as early as 1831, and making Bourbon County Agricultural Society premium julep cups as late as 1857. Agricultural premiums were awarded to winners in various categories at the Bourbon County Fair, such as “best imported cow” and for women, cups were awarded for female skills like weaving . B.B. and T.K. Marsh also made tall case clocks, which are scarce and very much sought after.
The large Marsh stone is located in the Paris Cemetery in Section L, Lot 107, with family members all around. Thomas K.’s name is listed on the main stone, and Benedict B. is listed in the Cemetery record card.

The Paris Cemetery Co. is non-profit, all gifts are welcome and tax deductible. See the pinned post at the top of the page to donate using Venmo, or come by the cemetery to make a donation. Thank you!