Betty Marie Perry

BP was born on February 5th, 1938, to the late Malfus Lawton Perry and Delia Mace Perry. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Doris Maddox and Jeanette Helderman. She was born in Staley, North Carolina, but later moved to Troy, North Carolina, where she spent her formative years with her sisters downtown between her mother's dress shop and her father's furniture warehouse.

BP was a beautifully artistic person. Not a day went by that the people around her did not know how loved and cherished they were by her. She showed them through her art over the years: sculptures of childhood homes, origami made from dollar bills, woodworking, and mini versions of their interests molded from clay.

She enjoyed travelling with her sisters and their families, as well as solo. She kept a journal from her first trip out west to Green River, Colorado. Her adventures in Colorado consisted of rafting and meeting a whole new group of people. She also enjoyed spending time kayaking at her cottage on a lake in Virginia, as well as the adrenaline rush of skydiving. Some of her favorite places she visited outside of her country were Ireland, England, and Italy. She was always up for the next adventure and opportunity!

She spent thirty-plus years working for Tidewater Community College as an associate professor of health and physical education. She had a passion for helping and working with people. This desire to learn and never stop others from learning is represented in a quote she liked- “Perhaps that is what life is for…giving us time to take in what we learn.” She never stopped teaching, whether it was life lessons or educational knowledge. She was curious about what sports everyone in her life played or watched. She had a zest for life that was impressed upon everyone around her.

She spent her later years focusing on her craft. At WC, she was a part of a group called the woodpeckers, which worked in their woodshop. She spent a lot of time in spaces with other creators, sharing their ideas and crafts. She made many Christmas gifts for her family in her crafting spaces at WC.

In passing, she left behind eight nieces and nephews, as well as eight great-nieces and nephews, who all loved her immensely, carrying on her memory with many stories to share. In place of gifts, please feel free to plant a tree in her honor or make a donation to St. Jude.