James Perry

DEMOREST - James Howard Perry, 81, died Wednesday, December 08, 2010, at his residence following an extended illness.

Born in Madison County on December 4, 1929, he was the son of the late Luke Henry and Mellie Elizabeth McElreath Norris Perry. Mr. Perry was member, elder and deacon of the First Presbyterian Church of Cornelia. He was a Korean veteran serving in the United States Navy.

Mr. Perry was an educator with the Habersham School system for many years. During his tenure he served as the principal of Demorest Elementary School for 17 years, Hazel Grove Elementary for three years and Mud Creek School for one year, where he was a basketball coach. Mr. Perry also taught at Baldwin Elementary for 10 years. He was a lifetime member of the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720 and was also a member of the Cornelia Lions Club, Habersham SAR and the Cornelia Rotary Club. Mr. Perry was a member of the Clarkesville Masonic Lodge #325 F. & A.M., where he received his 50 year pin, and was a member of the Yaarab Shrine. For 15 years he was on the Board of Tax Assessors in Habersham County.

He enjoyed hunting, farming and gardening in his spare time. He also enjoyed sports and was an avid football fan. He loved his family and enjoyed spending time with them, loved ones stated. Mr. Perry was also preceded in death by sisters, Allene Ramsey, Ann Mills and Isabelle Bridges; brothers, C.W. “Dock” Perry, H.G. Perry, Odell Perry, Guy Perry and Earl Perry.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Rebecca Brown Perry, Demorest; daughter, Anne Perry Cash, Demorest; son and daughter-in-law, Tom and Michelle Perry, Demorest; granddaughter and spouse, Amanda and Michael Weaver; granddaughter, Courtney Cash and grandson Kyle Cash; great-grandson, Landon James Weaver; sisters, Martha Black of Hull, and Grace Robertson, Palm Beach, Fla.; brothers, Ambus Perry, Lavonia, L.G. Perry, Commerce, Robert Perry, Danielsville, and Lamar Perry, Hoschton.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 10, at the First Presbyterian Church of Cornelia with the Rev. Blaine Walker officiating. Burial will follow in Level Grove Cemetery with Masonic Rites provided by Clarkesville Masonic Lodge #325 F. & A.M. and full military honors provided by the Grant Reeves VFW Post #7720, Rabun County DAV Chapter #15 and the Habersham County American Legion Post #84. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m, on Thursday, December 9. The family is at the residence.

Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Cornelia, P.O. Box 165, Cornelia, GA 30531.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.