J. Lawrence Perry, Sr.

James Lawrence Perry, Sr., 97, formerly of Swamp Road, Hertford, NC, died Sunday, December 9, 2012 in Chowan River Health & Rehabilitation, Edenton. Mr. Perry was born in Perquimans County and was the son of the late Joseph Ervin, Sr. and May Miller Perry. A retired farmer and volunteer ranger with the North Carolina Forestry Service, he was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his two wives, Maggie Lane Perry and Novella Winslow Perry; sisters Katharine Trueblood and Esther King; brother J. Ervin Perry, Jr., and step son-in-law, H. Ivey Ward. Surviving are his son, The Rev. Jim Perry and wife Sandy of Kennesaw, GA; three step-daughters, Patricia B. Parks and husband Eddie of Belvidere, Jackie B. Ward of Tyner, and Gail B. Copeland and husband Don, also of Tyner; a step-son, William Ray "Billy" Bunch and wife Barbara of Granite City, IL; three grandchildren, one great-grandchild, 14 step-grandchildren, 32 step-great-grandchildren, and eight step-great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m. in the Miller & Van Essendelft Funeral Chapel, 1125 Harvey Point Road, Hertford, by the Rev. Michael Williams. Burial will follow in Cedarwood Cemetery. Friends may join the family in the funeral home the hour prior to the service on Wednesday morning. Flowers are welcomed or contributions in his memory may be made to Cedar Grove U.M.C., P.O. Box 13, Winfall, NC 27985. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.