OBITS FOR E. F. PERRY AND WIFE VARINA DAVIS BANKS PERRY
AUGUST 1928
PROMINENT CITIZEN PASSES AT MACHEN
Funeral Services for E. F. Perry, Sr., whose death occurred Monday, were held Wednesday morning.
SHADY DALE, GA., August 8, (Special to the Monticello News.)
In the death of Mr. E. F. Perry, Sr., at his home at Machen late Monday afternoon. August 6, the community and county lost one of its most highly esteemed citizens. Mr. Perry was a Christian gentleman. Quiet and unassuming in manner, he was possessed of remarkable strength of character, honest, upright and true in every relation of life - a man whose word was his bond and whose life was in every respect above reproach. No better evidence of his successful life can be had then the family he leaves behind him; six sons, all useful and successful business men - W. W. Perry of Atlanta; H. C. and J. L. Perry, Shady Dale, O. H. and E. F. Perry, Kelly; M. B. Perry, Boston, Mass; two daughters, Misses Capie and Hattie Perry of Machen. His wife also survives him as well as three sisters, Mrs. C. R. Hodge, Atlanta; Mrs. J. T. Williams and Mrs. N. P. Smith, Newborn.
He served for many years as steward in the Methodist church of which he was a faithful member.
Funeral services were conducted Wednesday morning from the home, by Rev. J. L. Hall, pastor of the Monticello Methodist church; and interment was in the Shady Dale cemetery.
Ray M. Persons, funeral director of Monticello, was in charge of arrangements.
1957
Mrs. E. F. Perry, Sr.
The death of Mrs. E. F. Perry, Sr., on April 15, 1957, ended a life that had spanned almost a century. Born Dec 7 1860, the daughter of Henry and Harnett Kelly Banks, she was named Varina Davis for the wife of Jefferson Davis, soon to be inaugurated President of the confederate States of America. The first years of her life were spent under the shadow of war, as were the last years, when she left such concern for the grandsons in the service and the younger ones yet to be called. In between those first and last years, she led a busy, interesting life as daughter, wife and mother, rearing a large family of six sons and two daughters, all successful and outstanding men and women. Through her children and grandchildren she has made a large contribution to the business and social life, as well as the citizenship of Jasper County.
She was a person always alert and alive, keeping pace with the changes and the progress as she identified herself with the interests of the various members of her family. Through her hearing and eyesight were greatly impaired during the last years of her life, she maintained active interest in all that went on around her, recognized and enjoyed her friends, and kept her keen sense of humor and bright outlook on life until the infirmities of age overcame and she quietly slept away.
Her funeral was held at the Shady Dale Methodist Church, of which she had long been a member. Her pastor, the Rev. Asbury Craft and a former pastor, the Rev. Thomas H. Wheelis of Bremen, conducted the fitting and impressive service after which she was tenderly laid to rest in the family plot in the cemetery at Shady Dale.