Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2022, at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in Winona for John Killebrew Perry, 84, of Winona, who died on Friday, Nov. 25. Burial followed in Itta Bena Cemetery in Itta Bena. Bro. Jay Anderson, pastor, and Robert M. Perry officiated. Visitation was held from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30, and from 1 p.m. until service time on Thursday, Dec. 1, in the church sanctuary.
Dr. Perry was born on July 21, 1938, in Lexington and raised in Goodman. He accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and began to pursue his educational goals. He attended and graduated from Columbia Military Academy in Columbia, Tenn., as a Lieutenant Colonel with scholar awards and numerous other achievements. He next attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., and transferred to Millsaps College in Jackson after meeting his soulmate, Betty Gillespie. He graduated from Millsaps College with a major in chemistry and there also completed his master’s degrees in chemistry and physics. After a brief period, he completed his doctorate in secondary education from Mississippi State University. He believed he had achieved his educational goals and enjoyed imparting knowledge.
Dr. Perry was a science teacher in many biological sciences including chemistry and physics at Winona High School and at Kirk Academy where he was named Teacher of the Year, and Winona Christian School. Through his years of teaching, he was awarded Star Teacher seven times, promoted to junior high principal, high school principal and assistant superintendent through which he perfected his gift of school administration.
Dr. Perry’s community involvement ranged from being a Gideon, active member of the Masonic Lodge, Royal Arch Masons, St. Cyr Commandry, Knight’s Templar, Wahabi Shrine, king of the local Junior Auxiliary Ball, Montgomery County Educational Award, Sunday school teacher and Life Deacon at First Baptist Church of Winona. He was an avid lover of locomotive trains and built numerous props and platforms for his enjoyment. Generations will always remember his “teachable moments” when they were in his presence and with his words through the intercom every Friday at the end of the school day, “And don’t forget to go to Sunday school and church on Sunday.”
Through many successful years of school administration and teaching, Dr. Perry will be remembered as a noble man and a perfectionist. He was a high achiever, and his expectations were demonstrated through his children of whom he was proudest of each of their career accomplishments.
His father, Thomas Moore Perry; his mother, Lillie Viola Killebrew Perry of Goodman and his daughter, Treva Suzanne Perry, preceded Dr. Perry in death.
Survivors include, his wife of 62 years, Betty Gillespie Perry. They were married in Tchula on Sept. 4, 1960. He is lovingly remembered by his two children, Robert Moore Perry (Ginger) of Winona and John Killebrew Perry Jr., MD, of Erie, Penn.; three grandchildren, Megan Laurel Perry, Robert Moore Perry Jr. (Taylor) and Erin Virginia Perry; godchild, Brandi; brother, Thomas Moore Perry Jr. (Jude) of Kerrville, Texas, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Pallbearers were Dave Pratt, George Gillespie Jr., Alex Gillespie, Robert Moore Perry Jr., Dr. Keith Rushing and Thomas Moore Perry III. Honorary pallbearers were the deacon body – past and present – at First Baptist Church of Winona.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 408, Winona, MS 38967.
Online condolences can be expressed to the family at www.ofhwinona.com
Oliver Funeral Home in Winona was in charge of arrangements.
