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2017
Elnora Lee Stewart Perry, age 97, of Rocky Branch Road, Sutherland, Va., transitioned to her heavenly home on Tuesday, December 26, 2017, at her residence. She was a loving and caring wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, grandmother-in-law, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to her many relatives and friends in Dinwiddie County and surrounding communities. She attended school in Dinwiddie County and graduated from the Dinwiddie Norman and Industrial Institute (run by the AME Church), and the Virginia State College for Negroes (now Virginia State University) with a degree in Home Economics. She did further study at Cornell University, The University of Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, and the Evans-Smith Institute of Virginia Union University.
She was the fourth of 13 children born to the late Deacon John A. Stewart and Deaconess Ida Chatman Stewart. She was born on March 19, 1920, in Dinwiddie County. She accepted Christ as her savior at an early age and was baptized with her sister Rebecca and her father and joined the Gravel Run Baptist Church, Dinwiddie, Va. Elnora, as a lifelong member of Gravel Run, was a former member of the Senior Choir, organizer and coordinator of the Junior Choir and Youth Department, Financial Secretary for over 20 years, organizer of the church Relay for Life American Cancer Society Team, church representative to the United Churches of Dinwiddie and Vicinity Organization, church delegate to the Bethany Baptist Association, and a member of the church Scholarship Committee. In 2016, the church renamed the church scholarship The Elnora S. Perry Scholarship. Elnora also attended Rocky Branch Baptist Church, the church of her late husband, and participated in their Sunday Schools program and worked with crafts during Vacation Bible School.
Elnora was a retired Dinwiddie County 4-H and Extension Agent, which was partnered with the US Department of Agriculture and the State of Virginia Extension Service. She was the first African American Extension Agent hired by Dinwiddie County. She worked in the county from 1947 to 1983. Her job entailed training elementary age children and adult women in cooking, sewing, canning, family budgeting and other work life issues. She was a member of the Epsilon Sigma Phi National Honorary Extension Fraternity, Virginia, the American Home Economics Association, and the National Association of 4-H Agents.
She was a charter member, District #16, Order of Eastern Stars, Prince Hall Affiliation (secretary for over 20 years); member Heroines of Jericho Court #4; Petersburg Assembly #144; Rosette Tent #443; Royal Degree; and Sunbeam Poplar Grove #130 OES. She was a member of Poplar Grove for 61 years and the joined Sunbeam Poplar Grove for 4 years. She served as Secretary for over 20 years.
In addition to her parents and husband of 64 years, Roger A. Perry, she had six brothers and three sisters who preceded her in death.
She leaves to cherish her memory a devoted daughter, Gloria Jean "Jeannie" Perry Goings (William Goings, Jr.); two granddaughters, Norieta Goings Martin (Anthony) and Cassandra Renee Colwell (William III); one great granddaughter, Joyce Anne Mabel Martin. She has two brothers, Franklin A. Stewart (Yvonne) and William E. Stewart.
Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 30, 2017, at Gravel Run Baptist Church, Dinwiddie, with Pastor, Rev. Dr. Larry Brown, officiating and Dr. Herbert Anderson, eulogizing. Interment to follow Dinwiddie Memorial Park, Petersburg. Family will receive friends from from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2017, in the Celebration of Life Center, 524 S. Sycamore St., Petersburg. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that donations be made to the Children's Home of Virginia Baptist, Inc., 6900 Hickory Road, South Chesterfield, VA 23803. Funeral services have been entrusted to the professional staff of the Petersburg Chapel of Joseph M. Johnson & Son Funeral Home, 530 S. Sycamore St., Petersburg. (804) 863-4411.
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3 Entries
Our condolences on the passing of Mrs. Perry- my grandmother Erma Zitta spoke often of her and we remember her work with 4-H and the extension service.
Thanks,
Franklin Zitta
Franklin Zitta
January 10, 2018
You all are in my thoughts in this time of grief.
Thelma Peace (Moore)
December 30, 2017
My deepest condolences are extended to the family. I had the honor and pleasant to know Mrs. Perry by being associated as a 4 H member, District 16 OES, and Dinwiddie Chapter VSUAA. She will be truly missed but her memories will last a lifetime.
Robin Ellis
December 29, 2017
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Joseph M. Johnson & Son Funeral Home - Petersburg530 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA 23803
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