Wilma Jeanette Perry

Heaven gained the sweetest of souls, Wilma Jeanette Perry, on November 8, 2018. I was blessed enough to call her Mom. Born on June 29, 1926 at Epperly Hill to Blanche (Waldren) Darby and Ralph E. Darby.

Wilma grew up at her beloved Epperly Hill and completed her education at Collins High School. She was the first employed at the company store and later became assistant manager and co-owner of May Office Service with her husband Jim. After the store closed she continued as a homemaker, wife, mom and Nana. She was a member of the First Christian Church and while she didn’t talk about it much she had tremendous faith and was hoping to see Jesus return in her lifetime. She believed in the old adage, a soft answer turneth away wrath, and was the true definition of lady in every sense of the word. Besides her family her home was her pride and joy and she kept it up until the very end. She was gentle, humble and believed in the kindness of people.

She is survived by her husband of 58 years, James “Jim” Perry; daughter, Leslie Perry Redden; a special granddaughter that she adored, Emogene Redden; step-granddaughter, Lana Redden; sister, Barbara Manning and her husband Robert; nieces and nephews she loved like her own, Dana Darby and wife Lisa, Dougal Darby, Andrea Darby, Mindy Loughed and husband Jeff, Susan Bucklin, David Bucklin, Laura McGhee and husband Dan, Stuart Manning and wife Sha-chelle and Robert Manning; sisters-in-law, Dee Darby McGhee and Nancy Darby along with a host of great nieces and nephews.
Wilma was preceded in death by her brothers, Morris Darby and Ralph “Zeke” Darby and sister, Mary Buckland and her husband Nick and son-in-law-law, Marlon Redden.

Proverbs 31: 10-11, Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Proverbs 31:28, Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Funeral services will be 1PM, Tuesday, November 13, 2018 at the Calfee Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Mike Gunoe officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit with the family 1 hour prior to the service.

Pallbearers will be Lee Dalton, Howard Mays, Frank Woods, Gary Raines and Steve George.

Arrangements by Calfee Funeral Home, Beckley.