Helen Perry

Chesterfield, SC
Mrs. Helen Ann King Perry

“Miss Helen”, as she was affectionately known by the many who entered her home and sat at her table, was the daughter of Frank King and Mary Etta “Molly” Knight King. She was born October 16, 1921 in Chesterfield, SC. She graduated from Zoar High School and attended Pfeiffer College.

Miss Helen married Dr. Jerry Perry on June 19, 1942. She observed the “open door” policy at her home. In fact, she probably initiated it for her friends and family. Nights after Chesterfield High School ball games, her house was packed with loud, laughing, and hungry teenagers whom she didn’t just tolerate but also enjoyed.

Miss Helen was a wonderful cook and will be especially remembered for her fried chicken, pork chops, butter beans, and peach cobbler. Her quiet love and encouraging kindness will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Miss Helen taught Sunday school at the Chesterfield Baptist Church for many years and was a faithful participating member. Her sense of humor, her delight in her children and grandchildren, her love of life and her patience (which was severely tried by her children, her nieces and nephews, Dr. Jerry, and her in-laws, but NEVER her grandchildren), are a few of the reasons that made her a delightful woman.

Miss Helen died quietly in her own home just 5 days shy of her 95th birthday. Truly all who knew her will “rise up and call her blessed”.

In addition to her parents, Miss Helen was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 69 years, Dr. Jeremiah B. “Jerry” Perry; siblings, Lela King Carr, Julia King Hunter, Vivian King Adams, Bernice King, Dewey Foster King, Sr., Sue Lee King Harmon, Henry Frank King, Jr.; and sister of the heart, Peggy Davis.

Survivors include her children, Jerry B. Perry and wife Kim of Lancaster, SC, Claudia Perry Maloney of Columbia, SC, Vivian Perry Clower and husband Allan of Ronceverte, WV, Jill Perry Owen and husband Jim of Florence, SC, and Molly Perry Rose and husband Rob of Chesterfield, SC; sister, Johnnie Long of Chesterfield, SC; grandchildren, Mark Harmon, Scott Harmon and wife Leslie, Kevin Quick, Keller Ann Perry, and Molly Giannuzzi and husband John; great grandchildren, Emily Grace, Luke, and Olivia Harmon, Caroline and Elizabeth Giannussi.

Memorial Services for Mrs. Helen Ann King Perry will be 1:00 PM Thursday, October 13, 2016 at Chesterfield Baptist Church by Pastor Dennis Burton, Phillip C. Caulder, Jr. and John Long. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the fellowship hall of Chesterfield Baptist Church.

The family cordially requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made in memory of Miss Helen to the Mercy In Me Free Clinic, P.O. Box 1684, Cheraw, SC 29520, Hospice of Chesterfield County, P.O. Box 293, Chesterfield, SC 29709, or to a charity of one’s choice.


Miller-Rivers-Caulder Funeral Home of Chesterfield, SC (www.mrcfuneralhome.com) is serving the Perry Family.