Mary McInnis Perry
March 18, 1944 ~ July 27, 2018
ROCKY MOUNT - Mary Hugh McInnis Perry, age 74, passed away on Friday, July 27, 2018. Born in Concord, NC on March 18, 1944, she was the daughter of the late John Flake McInnis and Gladys Goodman McInnis.
Mary graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA in education. As a 4th grade teacher at Benvenue Elementary School, Mary touched the lives of her many beloved students and fellow teachers. She was a founding sorority member and former chapter president with the Gamma Tau Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa sorority. Alpha Delta Kappa is an International honorary sorority for women educators. She was an active member at First Presbyterian Church and a recipient of the Presbyterian Women's Life Membership Award. She also worked with Meals on Wheels, served as a Deacon, an Elder and Sunday School teacher, and was very active in her woman's church circle. In addition, she was devoted in her care for her brother John Knox McInnis after his stroke in 2014.
Mary leaves behind to cherish her memory, husband of 51 years, Jack Sherwood Perry; son, John Duncan Perry of Charlotte; and daughter, Laura Elizabeth Perry Cotto and husband, Antonio "Tony", of Holly Springs, NC. She is also survived by her loving grandchildren, Caroline Luisa and Christopher Devon Cotto; and brother, John Knox McInnis of Rocky Mount.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 10:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 153 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Rev. Dr. Preston Smith and Rev. Dr. Scott Solether officiating. The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
A Committal Service will be held on Friday, August 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Carolina Memorial Park, 601 Mt. Olivet Rd, Concord, NC 28025 with Rev. Peter Bynum officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Mary's memory to the Mary Perry Scholarship Fund administered by Gamma Tau Chapter of ADK. The purpose of the scholarship is to encourage commitment to educational excellence, and to give financial assistance to high school students or those preparing to teach. Mary Perry Scholarship Fund c/o Christy Smith, 4168 Meadowview Lane, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
Visitation
Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services
1130 N. Winstead Ave.
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Wednesday 8/1, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
The Family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, August 1, 2018 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services.
Service
First Presbyterian Church
153 N. Church Street
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
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Thursday 8/2, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, August 2, 2018 at 10:00 AM at First Presbyterian Church, 153 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 with Dr. Preston Smith and Rev. Dr. Scott Solether officiating.
Cemetery
Carolina Memorial Park
601 Mount Olivet Road
Concord , NC 28025
Friday 8/3
A Committal Service will be held on Friday, August 3, 2018 at 11:00 AM at Carolina Memorial Park, 601 Mt. Olivet Rd, Concord, NC 28025 with Rev. Peter Bynum officiating.
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Please accept our deepest condolences for your family’s loss.
In memory of our dear friend Mary. Our prayers are with Jack and the family.
In memory of Mary McInnis Perry, Sandra G Pruden lit a candle
In memory of Mary McInnis Perry, Peggy Turner lit a candle
Woddy, Laura, John, and John K, I am so sorry to hear about Mary Hugh. My prayers are with you and the family.
In memory of Mary McInnis Perry, Jeri Jackson lit a candle
My deepest condolences to Jack, John and Laura (and Caroline). I will never forget my dear buddy. We shared over 30 years of fun times together. Mary was a person who would do anything for her family and friends. Heaven has gained a wonderful angel, but I will miss her terribly! I love you, Mary Perry.
As a teacher and parent at Benvenue Elementary, Mary was an inspiration to other teachers, a loving master teacher to her students, and a supportive guide to parents. Her smile made others smile. Love to family. Jim and Dorrie Wright
I student taught under Mrs. Perry at Benvenue Elementary School. She was a great mentor that helped me through the process. She was patient with me and gave me things to consider. I am getting ready for my 13th year in the classroom. Prayers for her family and friends during this time. See you again in Heaven.
All of us at First Presbyterian will truly miss Mary and her smiling face, especially our Circle Of Friends. Love and deepest sympathy to all. Janice B. Smith
Mary was one of the truly good women who acted on her faith. We are thankful to have counted her as a friend. And Jack is one of the saints of the earth! Our love to Jack and John and Laura with thankfulness for them all.
Jack and John, my sympathy and prayers to you and your family.
Woody, John, and Laura. Sandy, Shayna, Radd and I are all so sorry to hear about your loss. We love you all! Warren Nesbit
Always helpful to all she knew. Mary will be missed by all!
I am very saddened by this loss. Mary’s dad was an I inspiration to many students who knew him in Concord. Her family has contributed unselfishly to the educational opportunities for so many. May God bring your family peace and comfort during this difficult time. I know her parents were so proud of her contributions to this world and I know the family will miss her presence in your lives. I pray God wraps his arms around you and holds you close during this time. This is a great loss to the community in Concord also. Sincerely, See Daviis (Former student of Mary’s mom, student of her dad who was my principal in elementary school and graduated with John K)
It was a pleasure knowing Mary as my Alpha Delta Kappa sister and UNCG alumni. She was a great lady.
What is dying I am standing on the seashore. A ship sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her till at last she fades on the horizon, and someone at my side says, She is gone. Gone where Gone from my sight, that is all. The diminished size and total loss of sight is in me, not in her; and just at the moment when someone at my side says, She is gone, there are others who are watching her coming, and other voices take up the glad shout, Here she comes! – and that is dying. – Bishop Brent My deepest and heartfelt condolences on the loss of your mother.
Thinking of all of you! She was a great lady and made really great mints! And children!!!Sending love and prayers Eliza
Laura, I am so sorry for you and your family’s loss. I pray the Lord will bless you with strength and endurance during this difficult time. Rest in His peace and calmness, and know that your mother is now in His presence and she is at peace. My prayers will continue to float your way, in the days ahead. I’m so sorry I’m unable to be with you, but I will surely contact you very soon. Karen King
Dear Perry Family and John K., How Mary Hugh resembles her mother! I am sure she was a dedicated teacher that continued the family tradition, I stared at the back of Woody’s head many a time at McKinnon Presbyterian Church in Concord during their dating years and later on visits. I am sorry she was taken so suddenly. She was needed and wanted to serve. Sincerely, Mary Irvin Plumer
My sincere sympathy to the family of Mary Perry. Mary was a dedicated member of Alpha Delta Kappa and specifically NC Gamma Mu Chapter. She will be missed.
Jack, John, Laura and family, We are praying God’s strength for you today! We are so sorry that we cannot be there to celebrate Mary’s life. She was a wonderful friend and neighbor. Tom and I have been thinking back over all the memories we share having been neighbors for almost 14 years. Scouts, swim team, PTA, our craft shows, birthday parties for the kids and Mary’s yummy Christmas drop-ins! Sweet memories!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you!!! Jack, we will see you soon. God Bless, Love, Tom and Maranda Street
Jack, John, and Laura my sincere sympathy to you and prayers for strength in today’s memorial. Mary was a truly a special light – always offering a smile, hug, or positive spirit. I grieve with you but also am thankful to have had her touch in my life.
Dear Woody, Laura, John, Tony, Caroline, Luisa, Christopher, and John Knox, Woody, you will remember how much your wife meant to me over the many years of growing up in Concord before I left. She was one of my best friends, and memories kept flowing after I heard of Mary Hugh’s passing. She was really smart, but we all thought we were then. More than that, she was funny and creative in her fun. There was always wonderful food and laughter in her house. We had a super life in Concord, and I’m certain she and you Woody produced a lifetime of wonder and love with your family. You two were such special friends and classmates. I believe all we shared together in that town and beyond helped make us caring and loving spouses, parents, grandparents, and citizens. We owe a lot to her parents, too. They were so interested and involved in everything we did, whether it was brilliant or even average. They wanted us all to succeed, and I know both Mary Hugh and you Woody wanted only the best for all the lives you touched. I, too eventually, went into the classroom, as did many of our former classmates. Thank you for the precious memories and lives enriched. Marilyn (Mimi) Lang Mann
1921 Ohhh, Jack, I’m so sorry for you, John, Laura and the rest of the family. However, I’m smiling in remembrance…the fun we had……….Bill