Clara White Perry

Clara White Perry, 82, of Hertford, NC, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 in her home. Mrs. Perry was born in Chowan County on August 12, 1931 and was one of 10 children born to the late Watson B. and Isa Bunch White. A homemaker and farmer's wife, she was the co-owner and operator of Perry's Produce, where she met many lifelong friends while picking butterbeans or field peas. A faithful member of Bethel Baptist Church, she was active in its Mattie Macon Sunday School Class, the Adult Choir, its Training Union, and the Mary Long Circle. A past chairwoman of the Perquimans County W.M.U. organization, she was a past president and treasurer of the Perquimans County Home Extension Association, past vice-president of the Hertford Grammar P.T.A., a board member of the Newbold-White House Restoration Committee, and served on the Democratic Committee, attending many fundraisers through the years. A past Study Course Chairperson at Perquimans County High School, she considered the high light of her time in this capacity as having as guest speakers, the Rev. John Gimenez, founder of Rock Church, and Norfolk Police Lieutenant Lewis W. Hurst, the head of its Narcotics Division. For these speakers, the school auditorium was filled to capacity both nights. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by all her siblings, Sidney E. White, Betty W. Hardin, Louis A. White, Watson E. White, the Rev. Robert C. White, Evelyn W. Parker, Wallace B. "Cowboy" White, Mary W. Long, and Barbara W. Stillman. Surviving are her husband of 65 years, W.D. Perry, Jr.; sons, Donald E. Perry and wife Lei Lei Bing of Charlotte, Dr. Douglas Perry and wife Cherie of Hertford, and David B. Perry and wife Debbie of Edenton; grandchildren, Meredith E. Perry, Amanda K. Perry, and William J. Perry, all of Charlotte; step-grandchildren, Bryan C. Belch, Nicholas R. Belch, Courtney "Ali" Belch, and step-great-grandson, Damien C. Belch, all of Edenton. A gathering for friends and family will be held Saturday, June 28th, from 4 to 6 p.m. in Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her memory may be made to the Perquimans County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 191, Hertford, NC 27944. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.