Edmund Warren Perry, Sr., 78, passed away on June 1, 2020. He was born on
December 19, 1941 in Memphis, Tennessee. He was a graduate of Whitehaven
High School and attended Memphis State University. He leaves his wife of 57
years, Martha McIlvain Perry; son, Patrick Perry (Jennifer); daughter, Carrie Sue
McClain (Jim); daughter-in-law Shannon Perry; brother, Clinton B. Perry, Jr.
(Evelyn); and sister, Margaret Strickland (Don). He also leaves three
granddaughters, Jenna and Hannah McClain and Jeanne Lynn Perry, who were his
absolute pride and joy. He leaves brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews,
cousins, and friends that he considered his own.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clinton B. Perry, Sr. and Esther Perry, his
sister Linda Perry Polumbo, sisters-in-law, Nancy Prescott and Wilna Perry, and his
son, Edmund Warren Perry, Jr.
Ed was a master welder and retired from screen printing having run Screen Gems
Manufacturing, Inc. since 1985. He was uniquely creative in resolving most
problems and had the ability to build almost anything from scratch and without a
plan – except for the plan that he had in his mind. Though he was a man of few
words, Ed knew what he wanted to say, said what he meant, and was honest to
his core.
Ed was an avid fan of Tiger Basketball through the lean years and the good years
and until the day he died, he still could not figure out what happened to that
timeout that should have been called in 2008. Ed will be greatly missed by all who
knew him, for to know Ed Perry was to know that you had a person in your
corner. In his corner, always, was the love of his life, Martha. People use the
phrase 'one of a kind' often. In Ed's case, it is apt. There will never, ever be
another like him. That mold is broken, as are our hearts.
In lieu of flowers, the family would request that if you would like to make a
donation, please consider St. Jude Children's Hospital.