Albert Ezzell Paris

Albert Paris Obituary
Albert Ezzell Paris was called home to Heaven on January 2, 2024. Albert was born on September 24, 1935 to Alonzo and Alberta Ezzell Paris in Floyd County (Rome), Georgia. He was raised on a dairy farm south of Rome, Georgia in a community called Booga Hollow where he carried on the family business.
He attended Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA to study architecture and then attended Shorter College in Rome. Upon selling the farm, Albert got his real estate license and went to work with J.L. Todd Auction Company in Rome, GA. There he found his niche in real estate and enjoyed putting deals together. He began buying properties across the country and soon saw the potential in Okaloosa and Walton Counties in Florida. Albert began spending more time in Florida than Georgia and after over 20 years with Todd Auction, he moved to Destin, Florida and focused on developing the Freeport area. He owned and operated Palmetto Properties & Realty in Freeport since the mid-1980s along with developing many of the subdivisions, acreage tracts and homesites in Freeport. Albert was instrumental in bringing in commercial ventures to Freeport as well.
Albert served his country in the US Army in mobile radio communications.
Albert served the community by sitting on the Walton County Variance Board and then the Planning Board where he served as Chairman for many years. Albert served on the Board of Directors for Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative from 1995 to 2010. He saw the vision for Freeport and served on the Economic Development Committee (EDC) for many years to bring industry and jobs to Freeport. Albert also served on the Board of the Walton County Chamber of Commerce. He was the President and Board Member of several Homeowner and Condo Associations.
Albert was a man of faith, compassion and strong in his love of the Lord. He was a listener and wanted to help people, especially with finding and owning their own property. He was a deal maker and felt it was better to leave a little on the table for the next guy – better to make the deal than lose the deal.
He enjoyed developing properties in other states such as North Carolina and Colorado.
Albert is survived by his wife and business partner of over 31 years, Sherry L. Nelson-Paris; one son, Timothy E. Paris of Kingston. GA; one niece, Linda & Roy Spicer of N. Fort Myers, FL; one brother-in-law, Lendy & Tanya Nelson of Ft Walton Beach, FL and many close friends who will always be family.
The arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home in DeFuniak Springs, FL. Services will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024 with Visitation beginning at 2:00pm and Service with Reverend Tim Burnham and Reverend Dean DeMarra officiating at 3:00pm at the First Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, FL located at 216 Live Oak Street. There will be a Graveside Service in Fort Walton Beach, FL at the Beal Memorial Cemetery on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 11:00 am with Military Honors.
Pallbearers will be Steven Spencer, Michael Allen, Jeff Culbreth, Ricky Fannin, Raymond Villanueva and Mitch Morris.
The family would like to thank all the medical staff that helped Albert in Birmingham, AL, Dr. Perry Hight of Santa Rosa Beach and Sacred Heart Hospital Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach. A special thanks to Gifted Hands Homecare Agency for their special touch in caring for him at home. The family cannot say thank you enough to all the friends, business associates, members of First Baptist Church of DeFuniak Springs and First Baptist Church of Destin, customers and clients that have continued to pray, call, text and care for Albert during this time.
Well done thy good and faithful servant. To God Be the Glory!