Dates
Marie Griffith Perry 89, went peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Saturday morning June 9, 2018 in a local care facility after a long illness. Marie was born September 2, 1928 to Nathaniel and Geneva Hayes Griffith in Hertford County, North Carolina.
Marie graduated Murfreesboro High School in Murfreesboro, North Carolina where she was a "star" basketball player and excelled academically. Her early employment was with Carolina Telephone and Telegraph in Ahoskie, North Carolina. While living in Ahoskie in the home of her co-worker Margie Tripp, she met Margie's nine-year-old cousin Linda Letchworth who was visiting from Virginia. Later Linda introduced Marie to her uncle, Chief Petty Officer Archie G. Perry; Marie and Archie were married on February 25, 1955.
Marie and Archie moved to Long Beach, California after Archie retired from the U.S. Navy. There she was employed at Bethany Baptist Church as the pastor's secretary and later as bookkeeper for the church day school. In Long Beach they acquired many special friends whom Marie kept in touch with the rest of her life.
In October 1978, Marie and Archie moved to San Angelo, Texas to be near Archie's niece Linda L. Enochs and her family. Linda's parents having died in 1970 and 1971, Marie and Archie became as mother and dad to Linda, grandparents to Nelson and Lisa, and "G.G." to her great grandchildren.
The Enochs' and Perrys' combined their Shaklee Products Distributorships and formed the Enochs-Perry Shaklee partnership. Marie remained an active Shaklee Director in the business until her recent illness.
Marie will always be remembered for her love of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and her gifted way of sharing Him with many others whose lives were forever changed. She loved reading her Bible daily during her "Prayer Time" and was active in the Southland Baptist Church Joy Class and conducted Bible studies in her home as her health permitted. She was loved by all who knew her, and that love was returned. Marie had the unique ability to truly listen to others and was generous with her wisdom and guidance.
On multiple occasions Marie was the hands and feet of Jesus to many. She was people's biggest cheerleader and believed in who they were becoming. She loved you like you were her own even if she just met you. She was full of class and grace but radiated incredible strength and boldness. Simply put, Marie was a "Rock star" and taught so many how Jesus loves people.
Marie was an excellent cook, seamstress and her crocheted afghans will long be enjoyed and treasured for years to come. Words cannot adequately express her value to her family and friends in North Carolina, California and San Angelo.
She is survived by her niece/daughter Linda Letchworth Enochs and husband Rex N. Enochs of San Angelo, also grandson Nelson Enochs and wife April, great-grandchildren Ava and Rex C. Enochs of San Antonio, Texas, also granddaughter Lisa Enochs Burnett and husband Jerry Burnett and great-grandchildren, Alanna and Audrey Burnett of Justin, Texas.
She is also survived by nieces Barbara Moss and husband Billy, Delores Cherry and Husband Ben and Nancy Griffith and Sister-in-law Annie Laurie Griffith and a dear life-long friend Margie Raines of North Carolina. Marie is also survived by a very special adopted niece Judy Petersen of Long Beach and too many other close friends to mention here.
Marie was preceded in death by her parents, loving husband Archie in 2004, seven brothers and sisters, half brothers and sisters, sister-in-law Alma Perry Letchworth and husband Raymond, brother-in-law Edwin Perry and wife Frances.
The family wishes to thank loving care givers Nita, Patricia and Leyla, Senior Care of San Angelo, Newhaven Assisted Living and Kindred Hospice of San Angelo.
A memorial service will be held in the Harper Funeral Home chapel, 2606 Southland Blvd, San Angelo, Texas at 2 p.m. Saturday June 16th.
Memorials may be made to: Mission of Hope Haiti, P.O. Box 171500, Austin, Texas 78717 or House of Faith, 321 Montecito Dr, San Angelo, Texas 76903 or a Charity of your choice.