Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2010

Perry was spry at 106

Essie Liles Perry, Garner's oldest-known resident, died Feb. 9. She was 106.

Perry, who lived at Lawndale Manor nursing home, spent her days reading, crocheting and sometimes leading devotions for other residents.

She took pride in her memory, said Elaine Annis, Perry's granddaughter.

Perry stumbled in the nursing home a couple of weeks ago, Annis said. As a result, she had bleeding on her brain.

"We just watched her deteriorate every day," Annis said. "That was the hard part."

After the fall, Perry told her family she didn't want to be immobile, Annis said. Until her death, she used a walker to get around.

Annis, a teacher at North Garner Middle, visited her grandmother most days after school. She recalled what Perry considered the secret to longevity -- nothing in excess.

Perry was born in Halifax County and taught school in seven counties across North Carolina. In Garner, she volunteered at the schools and was a member of First Baptist Church of Garner. Her late husband, Eustace R. Perry, was a school principal in Garner.

In 1987, Essie Perry received the Wake County Volunteer of the Year Award. Ten years later, she won the James Stevens Service to Garner Award.

At the nursing home, Perry was outgoing and well liked, said Angie Carroll, assistant director of Lawndale. "Her mind -- she never forgot anything," Carroll said.

Once or twice a week, a couple of dozen residents gathered as Perry led a devotion, Carroll said. While she liked to talk, though, Perry struggled with her hearing.

For a while, Perry lived at Lawndale with her son, Edward. He died more than a year ago, Annis said.

In her younger years, Perry traveled the world. Among her travel destinations, she visited the Holy Land, Europe, South America and 48 states, her family said.

She accomplished so much in more than a century, Annis said. "She lived a happy, full life," she said.