Judy Carolyn Perry

Judy Carolyn Perry passed away at her home in Raleigh, NC on Thursday, October 30th at the age of 82. She was born on April 26, 1943, on the Dorothea Dix campus where her parents were employed. She grew up in Benson, North Carolina and graduated from Northern High School in 1961.

Judy first worked as a clerical assistant but soon discovered her skill in sales and customer service while employed with Sears and Robuck in Durham. She worked for Wake County Public Schools with transportation as well as child nutrition services. Many remember her for 20 years of service at Belk’s at Crabtree Valley Mall where she was a sales leader in the fine china department and helped countless area brides complete their wedding registry. She finished her career at Belk in the children’s clothing department.

She had an eye for antiques that led her to open a store in Raleigh’s City Market for several years. She continued that passion for antiques by working for her dear friend Tim Palmer.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Mary Pauline Hall Perry and her father, James Bervin Perry as well as son Jonathan Hall Edwards.

She is survived by sons Perry Howard Edwards (Elaina Rae Edwards), Paul Howard Edwards, and daughter-in-law Julie Dickerson Edwards. Her grandchildren, Carolyn Leigh Edwards, Spencer Davis Edwards, Henry Addison Edwards and Morgan Ross Edwards. Her sister, Bonnie Perry Matthews (Mickey), nephew, Jaime Matthews (Melissa) and niece Melinda Matthews Bone.

Judy was known for her generosity and willingness to help others. She was the consummate caregiver, first with her father and eventually with her grandchildren. She was a vocal advocate for her children, would sit with friends and family in times of need and was always willing to loan her trusty Nissan. Judy loved sharing meals at Big Ed’s and looked forward to Tuesday half price hotdogs at Snoopy’s. She had a love for music, enjoyed playing the piano and had the gift of being able to play by ear. She particularly loved church hymns and gospel music and was a devoted Elvis fan.

Judy’s family has a history of camping at Kerr Lake. This is where she learned to drive the motorboat while her sons water skied. She loved traveling. She took her father to visit the North Carolina mountains and traveled with her sons to New York City, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Canada. She toured Europe with friends.

Judy fell in love with the original Ford Mustang in 1964. She could not buy her own Mustang until 2015 when she bought one with cash. The car was her pride and joy. Her grandsons have fond memories of their grandmother driving a white mustang with a racing stripe.

A family visitation will be held prior to the service at 12:30pm. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Mitchell’s Funeral Home located at 7209 Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh on Sunday the 16th of November at 1 PM. Interment to follow for immediate family at Raleigh Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her honor to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. https://www.bcrf.org/

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