Edith Ann Perry

Edith Ann Early Perry, 77, formerly of Wingate, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2020. She was born January 8, 1943 in Henderson, NC, daughter of the late James Howard Early and Nettie Anna Hicks Early. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Donald Cleveland Perry and sister, Edna Early Worley. Funeral services will be at 3:00pm. Sunday, March 15, 2020 at Wingate Baptist Church, 109 E. Elm St. Wingate, NC 28174. Burial will follow in Wingate City Cemetery. The family will visit with friends and relatives from 4:00pm until 6:00pm Saturday, March 14,2020 at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Avenue, Monroe, NC. Ms. Perry is survived by her daughters, Donica Perry Hudson, of Banner Elk and Desha Perry of Los Angeles and her brother, Jim Early of Winston Salem. Edith Ann Early Perry is the kind of person you never forget…witty, smart, articulate, gorgeous, genteel yet feisty and passionate, toughly pioneering yet softly nurturing…a kind soul to those who were hurting…a helping hand to those in need…a melody to lift your spirits with her trained voice, upbeat songs she wrote and piano playing that charged the room with excitement …“Mama Bird” to the students she so loved and who so loved her…she was a force for good to be reckoned with…and her legacy lives on through all those she has touched with her love…family, students and even strangers. THE SOURCE OF HER LOVE From an early age, Edith was inquisitive. At age 5, Edith invited her Pastor to visit her family in their parlor to inquire about God. By faith, Edith accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and served him all the days of her life. She was quick to point to the Holy Spirit living within her as the source of her love—and boy did she share that love well! She was known for her hugs, for her good food baked with love for family, friends and those in need, for her wise counsel and for seeing the good in students and lovingly educating them to reach their full potentials. Here are some comments from Mom’s students and peers: ..your mom meant a lot to me. She helped groom me into the person that I am today. T.B. …I remember her…such a good woman…so many memories. S.A. Such a classy woman. I have fond memories of her. A.S. She made this Northerner feel so welcome! I will always be grateful for her kindness and encouragement…J.W., Jr. Such a loving and caring lady. She will always hold a very special place in my heart. P.P. She was a blessing to so many. D.B.P. What a sweet lady. She was a wonderful teacher and so nice to all. God bless you all. J.I. Your mom was such an amazing woman and teacher. J.C. Our loss is heaven’s gain; our world is a little less bright, but oh how she shines down on us all! We are all better for having known her, loved her and having been loved by her. S.W.P. Ms. Perry was truly a kind and loving person. She was my English teacher and I thoroughly enjoyed her teaching me. V.R.B. She was such a lovely person. F.P.B. Heaven gained an angel! M.W.S. Ms. Perry was engaged. Concerned. Patient. Kind. Opinionated but open-minded. She didn’t start fights or back down from bullies. She held firm to her beliefs in times of challenge. As the best teachers do, she taught us by example. T.H. When I think of your mom, my heart smiles. D.B.P. The world has lost a great woman who touched and changed many lives with the love of Jesus. I am one of them. S.C.C. Ms. Perry was such a beautiful spirit that touched so many of us at FHHS. [Forest Hills High School] I have many fond memories of her. S.P. Please know that your mother taught so many of us, so well, that her sparkling eye and keen wit will never be forgotten but will remain an example for us to keep striving to match, even though we’re always not quite there yet. E.R. Your mom was an amazing woman, mother and teacher. D.S. She was a beautiful and very intelligent and strong lady. One that represented the county well. A.H. THE PIONEER Edith Perry truly did represent the people of Union County well, becoming the first woman elected to the Union County Board of Education and the first woman to become Chairman. Edith also served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention for Ronald Reagan. She was encouraged to run for Congress but chose to return to the students she so loved in the classroom instead, retiring as Forest Hills High School’s senior English and A.P. English Teacher. Edith was an accomplished dramatic soprano soloist singing in church, in the All-America City Chorus and at Wake Forest College. She was a songwriter and pianist, poet, and water color artist who’s first painting travelled overseas with an American Art Exhibit for three years during her high school and college years. Edith was a beauty queen named Forsyth County Dairy Princess and Hanes High School Annual Queen. She was also a scholar, graduating from Wake Forest College in 3.5 years on the Dean’s List with a B.A. English Major, History Minor. It was at Wake Forest where Edie met the love of her life, Don Perry, who was in law school. They enjoyed 54 years of marriage in Don’s hometown of Wingate, NC where Edie loved his family as her own. They cherished their church family at Wingate Baptist and served the community well. Edie enjoyed riding her horses and pouring her life into her two girls, Donica and Desha. Her girls will tell you that what did best was love family and people well, especially her five grandchildren. She will be greatly missed but her girls are rejoicing that she is now healed and reunited with their father in heaven and her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Memorials may be made to I.H.P. Global Ministries Inc., PO Box, 206, Banner Elk, NC 28604, please list “Edie Perry Educational Scholarship” in the memo line. Online condolences may be made at www.gordonfuneralservice.com Gordon Funeral Service and Crematory is caring for the Perry family.