COLERAIN – Helen Sutton Perry of Colerain departed this life peacefully in her home on October 30, 2015 as the early morning sun was beginning to rise.

She was born to the late Marie Robbins of Durham, NC on February 18, 1920. At an early age, she was sent to live with a relative in Merry Hill, NC. As fate would have it, this relative soon passed and Helen grew up with the family of the late John Rascoe, Sr., who also resided in the community of Merry Hill.

As a youth, Helen accepted Christ and began attending Peterson Chapel Baptist Church, located a short distance from the Rascoes’ home. Later, following her marriage to the late Charlie R. Perry, Jr., Helen joined Zion Hill Missionary Baptist Church, of Colerain, NC. Helen truly loved the Lord and actively served at Zion Hill. She enjoyed participating in Sunday school, Missionary Circle and serving as a Women’s Day Captain. She remained an active member until her health began to fail.

While raising her five children, Helen worked as a housewife and farm laborer; assisting her husband in planting and tending to their various crops. She was the ultimate

farmer’s wife and an excellent home-maker. If you never got the chance to sit at Helen’s table to enjoy one of her meals, you missed out on one of the true pleasures of palate satisfaction.

Multi-talented, Helen was skilled as a seamstress, gardener, and ceramics hobbyist. She had a generous nature and got much joy from sharing what she created with her family and friends. Her home was always opened to those who required her maternal nurturing. Helen’s motto was, “Just treat everybody right”. She led by example and always saw the best in others.

Throughout her long life, Helen was motivated by her love for her entire family. She went to great lengths and sacrificed much to assure that her children had a better life than she had. Helen pushed her grandchildren to reach even higher. During her latter years, Helen’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren appeared to have been the fuel that extended her life.

Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie R. Perry, Jr.; a son, Charlie R. Perry, III; a brother, Thomas King and his wife, Dora; a brother, Phillip Robbins; a sister, Elise Small; and a step-brother David King.

Leaving to cherish precious life memories are two daughters: Barbara Bivins (Robert) of Gulph Mills, PA and Bettina Odom (Claude) of Harrellsville, NC; two sons, Alex Perry of Colerain, NC and Euric Perry (Linda) of Knightdale, NC; a daughter-in-law, Lottie Perry of Windsor, NC; a step-son, Terry Bond of Windsor; a brother, Harry Rascoe of Merry Hill, NC; and cousin, Charles Robbins of Surry, VA; and a special care-provider (who was loved like a daughter) Hester Cooper of Merry Hill, NC.

Helen was also blessed with 20 grandchildren: Robert (Bobby) Jr., Kevin, Christopher, Keith, Khory, Kirsten, Shelia, Lavon, Lavette, Joyce, Jay (Patricia), Alex, Dre (Briana), Joi, Claudia (Darian), Brian (Deanna), Aaron (Kim), Erica (Jonathan), Kimberly (Kentraille) and Lakeshia; 20+ great- grandchildren and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and close friends.

We cherish the 95 years that GOD blessed us with this phenomenal woman, Helen Sutton Perry.

A wake will be held from 5-6 p.m. on Saturday, November 7 at Zion Hill Baptist Church, Colerain.

The funeral will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Zion Hill Baptist Church Youth Ministry, PO Box 205, Colerain, NC 27924.

Reynolds Funeral Home, Ahoskie, is handling the arrangements.