Elsie Perry Williams was born March 15, 1925 in Wakelon to Lee O. Perry and Vera L. (Baker) Perry, both deceased.
She married Paul Gray Williams on March 15, 1947 and they have loved one another and remained constant companions for nearly 64 years.
Elsie passed away on Thursday, January 14, 2010 with Paul and her daughters by her side at their family home on Perry’s School Road. Her daughters, Jennifer Gray Williams Saunders (Jimmy Belch) of Colerain and Paula Williams Farmer (Johnnie Ray Farmer) of Millennium, have been by her side throughout her recent illness.
She was preceded in death by her sisters and brothers who have joyfully welcomed her to her home in heaven: Oliver L. Perry, Catherine P. Henry, Martha P. Baker, Horace Randolph Perry, Doris P. Holloman, John E. Perry and Joyce P. Perry.
She is survived by her sisters, Esther P. Perry of Wakelon, Carolyn P. Lassiter of Manteo; and brother, James Wallace Perry, Sr. (Shirley Perry) of Wakelon.
Surviving grandchildren are Denise B. Robinson (Scott D. Robinson) of Corning, NY; Darlene B. Powell (W. Grayson Powell, Sr.) of Wilmington; Christopher J. Farmer (partner, James Hembry) of Wakelon; and Michelle F. Hoggard (Ben E. Hoggard) of Millennium.
Elsie and Paul are blessed with eight great-grandchildren who survive her: W. Grayson Powell, Jr., Charlie Aiken Powell, Tyler M. Hoggard, Addison Paul Hoggard, Caroline Elizabeth Robinson, Lydia Gray Robinson, Elsie Margaux Barnes Powell, and Michael Andreas Farmer.
She was a member of Wakelon Pentecostal Holiness Church and earlier taught children’s Sunday School at Wakelon Baptist Church for some years. She was actively involved in Women’s Missionary Union at Wakelon Baptist, but her service to the LORD and teaching His Word were not at all limited to church. Elsie praised the LORD with singing and dwelling on His Word in her home, and this has been a great blessing to her family.
Aside from caring for her home and family, she was a dedicated helper to her father Lee O. Perry in her youth in the family store, Wakelon Grocery. She was active in the Home Demonstration Club of the Wakelon Community. She later owned and operated Wakelon Grocery. Her later years were dedicated to being the voice for Paul’s Barber Shop, taking calls, getting Paul Gray to rest, and providing fresh towels. Her voice and her spirit will remain a part of the community of Wakelon and the Perry family as a lasting inheritance.
A celebration of life and worship service will be held at the Wakelon Pentecostal Holiness Church on Saturday, January 16 at 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at the Perry Family Cemetery in Wakelon.
Walker Funeral Home in Windsor is arranging all services. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to the American Heart Association, Greenville Area, 3219 Landmark St. Unit 9, Greenville, NC 27834 or to the Colerain Volunteer Rescue Squad, Colerain, NC 27924.
Online condolences may sent to www.walkerfh.net.