Virginia Rita Jean Perry

Virginia Rita Jean Perry was born on September 13, 1925 in Nashville Tennessee. Her parents were William Lyles and Nefus Taylor-Lyles who are deceased. She departed this life on Friday, April 1, 2016 at the age of 90. She was the eldest of 7 siblings, leaving behind her two loving sisters, Lucy Kinney and Lillian Child's, and one brother Alvin Lyles.

Virginia journeyed out to Cleveland Ohio, where she was the forerunner for the rest of her siblings, and she provided a place for all her sisters and brothers that soon followed. Not long afterwards, she met her husband, her King, Sam Perry.

To this Union of marriage five children were born, in which she leaves behind two boys and three girls: Herbert Lamont Perry and wife Loretta Perry, Demetruis Perry and wife Diana Perry, Tonya Perry Collins and husband Amos Collins, Kimberly Perry, and Rita Perry. Ten grandchildren; Erica Watson, Victoria Thomas, Christoper Perry, Latasha Collins, Marquita Perry, Tiffany Crew, Damaris Perry, Kevin Perry, Demetruis Perry Jr, and Melvin Wilson. And 22 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren, not to mention a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Virginia Perry, along with her husband Napoleon Sam Perry were members of St. Paul United Methodist Church in Cleveland, Ohio serving under the leadership of Rev. Raymond Burgess.

She was a praying, and loving Wife and caring Mother who knew how to manage the household, and in the raising of her 5 children, as well as serving her husband with diligence. She had great financial wisdom. She knew how to stretch a dollar, and rub the copper off a penny. Every dollar that her husband bought home to make provisions for her and the children, in order that all the family needs were met, was a job she did well, and she did an awesome job of it, as it was never a need not met.

Virginia was an excellent cook, and it became a career, which also helped her provide for her family as well. She made a living by working in hospitals and in industrial companies. She would also cook and give meals out to whoever was hungry, be it in the neighborhood, or as volunteering her cooking services when or wherever needed.

She was also a seamstress at best, making clothes for her growing girls until their teenage years. People admired the way she always dressed her girls to look alike. Kim and Rita were often thought of as twins.

One very memorable tradition that all her children cherish, is bringing in every New Year on their knees in family prayer. No matter where they were, or how grown they became, 12:00 midnight you would find them all on their knees in prayer with their Father and Mother, thanking God for the year past that they’ve all made it through, and praying for God’s covering into the New Year.

We would first and foremost like to thank God, who allowed our Mother to be with us for as long as he did. We just know it was the Love of The Lord answering our prayers. God is a good and faithful God, and He shall continue to sustain us through it all. Praise be unto our Almighty God!

Mama, Thank you for being our mother, and our best friend to the very end,

we love you, and miss you!

Arrangements under the direction of Resthaven / Carr-Tenney Mortuary & Memorial Gardens, Phoenix, AZ.