Our beloved Mother, Lerlie Zadie Die Perry, after 96 wonderful years went to be with her Father in Heaven, Monday, October 26, 2009.

She was born March 10, 1913, in the backwoods community of Sadell, Tyler County, near Woodville, Texas to Mary Grimes Die and Elias Die. Lerlie was the oldest daughter of seven children who survived to adulthood. 

Like most of the families in those logging settlements, she lived a pioneer lifestyle.  Lerlie and her siblings were dedicated students despite having to move around in the piney woods to make a living.  In addition to scholastic achievements, Lerlie loved to play girls’ basketball and was careful to stay in shape all her days. She played on the Woodville High School State Championship Basketball Team in 1935, and was also on the State Declamation Championship Team.  Lerlie was a traveling gospel singer, having sung in a quartet and also as soloist with an uncle/preacher. Lerlie was a founding and very active member of Southeast Texas Blue Grass Association. She enjoyed visiting nursing homes with her Bluegrass and church groups. Lerlie and Floyd traveled the state for fiddle contests and made many friends wherever they went. She was a faithful church worker and Sunday school teacher and former president of the Harrison-Die reunion.

In the course of raising seven children, our mother was active in South Park PTA for twenty-three years, and served as hospitality chairman on the executive board at South Park Elementary. No one ever left Mother’s presence without feeling loved and special. She led by example.

Survivors include her children, Bobby Dudley Perry and his wife Jo Ann, Mary Beth Hagler, Patricia Ann Isles and her husband Leonard, Murry Arthur Perry and his wife Silvia, Carolyn Jeanette Perry, and Clyde Austin Perry and his wife Janie; daughter-in-law, Martha Perry; eighteen grandchildren; twenty-two great grandchildren; and one great great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-seven years, Floyd S. Perry; and son, Billy Mac Perry.

Her funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Saturday, October 31, 2009, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont with burial to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.  A gathering of her family and friends will be from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2009, at Broussard’s.

Memorial contributions may be made to Apostolic Church, 3333 Eastex Freeway, Beaumont, Texas 77706; American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 5144, Beaumont, Texas 77726; or to the charity of one’s choice.