Source: http://www.mem.com/ContentDisplay.aspx?ID=13755930

Alfred DeWitt Perry
July 5, 1929 - December 18, 2007

MACON, GA -- On December 18, 2007 Alfred DeWitt Perry left this earthly life to begin his eternal life with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was greeted by his mother, Della Mae Joiner, and his father, the Reverend Lemuel Lee Perry, formerly of Loranger, Louisiana.

He began his journey on this earth on July 5, 1929. He was a man that enjoyed every day of his life with a positive attitude, humor, and expectation of a new blessing every day. Those who loved him cannot recall him ever being in a bad mood. He defined the word ``optimism''. Al's great loves were his wife of almost 50 years, Auve' Perry, his children and grandchildren, the J.C.Penney Company, and the LSU Tigers. We will remember him every time the LSU Tigers play and whenever we eat red beans and rice.

Al's last year was spent divided between his home in Macon, Georgia, and the Alexan at North Hills in Raleigh, NC where he and Auve' had an apartment in order to help their son, Douglas, and his family after the birth of their fifth child. The Raleigh community was blessed by this special man and his sweet wife when they saw them at birthday parties, basketball games, and other family events. Al has always had no greater joy than to join Auve' in spending time with their eight grandchildren.

In his early beginnings as a preacher's child, he learned about the many personalities of people, which enriched his later career. He only had one career in his life and that was with the J.C.Penney Company, where he worked for 47 years. The only break from that career was when he went to serve four years with the Air Force during the Korean War. He grew up in a family dairy farming community of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that enjoyed fellowship, caring for one another, worshipping together, and working together.

His Loranger High School's 1946 graduation class included seven members. His college days included Southeastern University and Louisiana State University. His career with the J.C. Penney Company began in Hammond, Louisiana and took him to Macon, Georgia; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Meridian, Mississippi; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; Kinston, North Carolina; and then to Macon, Georgia where he retired in 1995. He was a man of integrity in all the seasons of his life. He served his family, God, and his country with love, dedication, and sincerity.

He had the opportunity to give to many communities in the areas of: church work, Rotary and Kiwanis organizations, Boy Scouts, Golden Rule Volunteers, Cherry Blossom Festival, Little League sports, Mercer Business School, and much more. His favorite contribution was to the many young men and women that he gave the opportunity of learning the retail business.

He leaves a wife waiting to join him again as she joined him on earth almost 50 years ago, Auve' Curry Perry. He was the proud father of two sons; Alfred Dean, his wife, Cathy, their children, Laurelyn, Steven, and Christian of Portland, OR; Ashley Douglas, his wife, Ann Henley, their children, Ash, Della Joyner, Clara Parker, Katherine Auve', and Ann Henley of Raleigh, NC. He also leaves a brother, Naurbon, his wife, Louise, of Dana Pointe, CA, and their two sons and families, and a sister, Ora Lea Perry Bowyer, of Royal Palm Beach, FL, and her five children and families.

His church membership was at Mount Zion Baptist Church, on 7015 Rivoli Rd, in Monroe County. The services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday at Snow's Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street. Rev. Clay Bowden will officiate. Burial will be in Green Oaks Memorial Park, Baton Rouge, Louisiana at 2:00 PM Saturday. The family will greet friends from 6 until 8 PM Wednesday at Snow's Memorial Chapel, Cherry Street and asks that those who wish make donations to the American Cancer Society, P O Box 4406, Macon 31208. The family would like to take this opportunity to thank our many, many friends over the years that have supported our family in so many ways.

Visit www.MeM.com to express tributes. Snow's Memorial Chapel, 746 Cherry Street, Macon, GA 31201 has charge of arrangements.