Mrs. Eleanor "Jane" Paris Hall

Eleanor “Jane” Paris Hall died peacefully on Wednesday, January 14, 2026. She was born on January 11, 1943, in Sturgis, KY, to Charles and Willie Maud Paris. She graduated from Sturgis High School and then left to attend Murray State University on a scholarship to study business. She also went to Murray to be with her high school sweetheart, Jim Hall.
 
Jane and Jim were married in September of 1963, her junior year, and lived in married housing on the campus at Murray State. After graduation, she taught business courses at Calloway County High School and they joyfully welcomed their two children.
 
Jane received her masters in 1970 and she began teaching in the accounting department at Murray State. Over her 30-plus-year tenure at MSU, she was recognized as the Outstanding Teacher in the College of Business and Public Affairs and selected by Omicron Delta Kappa as one of the five outstanding faculty members. She was loved by her students and was actively involved across campus in student life organizations often baking her world-renowned chocolate chip cookies for them.
 
Active in Greek Life at MSU, Jane was a member of Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority as a student and later as an advisor, being named Outstanding Chapter Advisor by their nationals. She served as Panhellenic advisor for many years and was also one of key members to bring the concept of residential colleges to the University. As faculty head of Springer-Franklin Residential College, she helped students plan homecoming floats, form intramural teams and build pride in their college.
 
Jane was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church of Murray, the Murray Art Guild and supporter of Angels Attic. She loved spending time with her eight grandchildren, her Murray family friends and her university colleagues.
 
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jim; her brothers, Don Paris and Bill Paris, and parents. She leaves behind her brother, Charlie Bob (Gwen) Paris, her son, Jon Mark (Patti) Hall and grandchildren, Nathan, Mary Claire, Garland, Ty, Owen, and Calvin; and daughter, Bethany (Peter) Lawrence and grandchildren, Andrew and Sarah. 
 
Visitation will be on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 1-3 p.m. with the funeral service following at 3 p.m. at the Wrather West Kentucky Museum, N 16th Street, on the campus of Murray State University in Murray, KY.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Murray State University Foundation for the Jane Hall Panhellenic Scholarship. Checks should be made payable to MSU Foundation, with the name of the scholarship fund in the memo line of the check. Donations should be mailed to Murray State University Foundation, 200 Heritage Hall, Murray KY 42071.
 
Online condolences can be made at, www.jhchurchill.com