Helen Thomas Perry

The family will receive friends, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., Friday, December 16, 2011 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in College Station. Funeral services will be private. Burial will be next to her beloved husband and parents in College Station City Cemetery. Helen was born January 31, 1925 in Bryan, Texas, the daughter of Frank L. Thomas of Waltham, MA and Mabel Clare (Randall) Thomas of Livingston, AL. Growing up on the campus of Texas A&M College until 1940, she attended A&M Consolidated in College Station and attended TWU in Denton, Texas, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Art and had a scholarship set up in her name for an annual disbursement. Helen was swept off her feet by Lt. John V. Perry, Jr., of Danville, VA, her husband to be for 62 years until his passing on January 2, 2009. They wed February 5, 1946 and moved to the Panama Canal Zone due to an Army Military Training Commitment. There the family grew to three with the birth of John V. Perry, III. With close family ties, a move was made back to College Station. Helen taught fourth grade at A&M Consolidated for four years. The family increased in size with the births of Judith Ann Perry on November 20, 1950 and Joan Thomas Perry on June 23, 1957. The family now complete, Helen taught art for another 7 to 8 years starting the Art Department at Consolidated High School. After retiring, she taught art privately and began painting seriously. Traveling with her husband in the U.S., England and Italy influenced her painting. Having ten, one person showings with award winning works displayed in New York, Houston, Dallas, Brenham and Navasota. Helen is listed in “Notable Women in Texas” and “Who’s Who in American Women.” She won the “Andy” Anderson Award for outstanding contribution to the Arts. Helen was a member of the Texas A&M Art Exhibit Docent, Brazos Valley Art League, Arts Council of the Brazos Valley, National League of American Pen Woman, Memorial Student Center Opera and Performing Arts Society. She was also very active at St. Thomas Episcopal Church and designed the Stained Glass Windows in the Chapel. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, half brother, George Wrenn of Victoria, Texas, half sister, Mabel Clare Smith of Denver, CO., brother, Frank L. Thomas, Jr. of Houston, and sister, Edith T. Groves of Issaquatt, WA. Survivors include her son and daughter-in-law, John V. Perry, III and Debbie of Cedar Hill, TX., daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Martin L. Riley, Jr. of Bryan, daughter, Joan T. Perry of Atlanta, GA. and four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 909 George Bush Dr., College Station, Texas 77840.