Walda Ann (Shockey) Paris, 82, of Green Castle, Missouri, passed away Tuesday, July 3, 2018 at Kirksville Manor Care Center.

Born July 3, 1936 in Kirksville, Missouri, Walda Ann was the daughter of the late John Waldo and Cecil Martha (Whittom) Shockey. On January 1, 1956 in Kirksville, Missouri, Walda Ann was united in marriage to Garnet Gail Paris. Walda Ann and Garnet were residents of Putnam County, Missouri for nearly 60 years.

Walda Ann is survived by Garnet, her husband of 62 years; one son, Randy Paris of Unionville, MO; one daughter and son-in-law, Gwen and John Perrachione of Kirksville, MO; one brother and sister-in-law, John and Patty Shockey of Kirksville, MO; eight grandchildren, Brittany (Ryan) Paris, Cybil Paris, Faith Paris (Joel) Beller, Jon (Shannon) Rader, Jeannie (Bobby) Scrogins, Tyler (Arim) Perrachione, Courtney (Kevin) Rudick and Sara (Ben) Abney; seven great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Walda Ann attended Fairview School east of Kirksville, was a graduate from Kirksville High School, received a Bachelor’s degree from Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College, and a Master’s Degree from Northeast Missouri State University in Kirksville. She taught grades 1-8 at Hays School in rural Adair County, Home Economics at Novinger High School, and Art at Putnam County R-I for a total of thirty-five years of teaching before retiring from Putnam County R-I in 1995. She will be remembered as a beloved teacher whose students have many fond memories of her as a friend, as well as a teacher and mentor.

Walda Ann was an accomplished artist specializing in ceramics, making handmade baskets and refinishing antique furniture. She enjoyed going to auctions, learning about local history, and collecting antiques. She also loved country music, cowboy boots, and cats.

Walda Ann was a member of Pure Air Baptist Church, southwest of Novinger, Missouri.

Public visitation will be held Saturday, July 7, 2018 with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Sunday, July 8, 2018 at Travis-Noe Funeral Home with interment following at Green Grove Cemetery, north of Novinger.

Pallbearers will be Randy Paris, Brittany Paris, Cybil Paris, Jon Rader, Jeff Shockey, and Josh Shockey.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Walda Ann may be made to the Green Grove Cemetery and may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.