Celebrating The Homegoing of Mr. Johnny Milben Perry, Sr., Saturday, February 7, 2004, 1:00 in the afternoon, In the sanctuary of Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, 1330 Talbotton Road, Columbus, Georgia, Reverend O.L. Duncan, Pastor, Officiating

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My father's way may twist

There's so much now

and turn,
My heart may throb and ache,

I cannot see
My eye sight is far too dim;

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But in my soul, I am glad to know He maketh no mistake.

But come what may, I'll simply trust

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and leave it all to Him
My cherished plan may go astray, For by-and-by the mist lifts,

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My hopes may fade away,
But still I trust my LDrd to lead,

And plain it all He'll make Though dark to me

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For thee doth know the way. Though night be dark,

He maketh no mistake.

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and it may seem

That the day will never break.

But I'll put my faith,

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my all, inHim;

He maketh no mistake.

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Death to a Christian is a way to a rrx:>re joyous and glorious life. Death takes away only the physical. It can never replace the memories of a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.
On Tuesday, February 3, 2004, our beloved was called home to God. Johnny Milben Perry, Sr. was born and reared in Seale, Alabama, the fourth of nine children born to the late Roselle Perry, Sr. and Sarah Emma Perry. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Willa Jordan in 1960. To this union, three children were born whom he loved dearly. One sister, fv\ary Gifford lvey and one brother, Roselle Perry, Jr., preceded him in death.
He received his early education in Russell County. He accepted Christ by uniting with Greater Ward Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church where he faithfully served as a Trustee and merrber of the Church School. He continued to maintain an active membership until he passed and was recognized for his diligence and commitment to service as a Trustee.
He served in the United States Army and retired from Bibb .Manufacturing Company after 39 years as an electrician.
His life portrayed many striking qualities. The best glimpse can be recaptured in his devotion as a husband, father, grandfather, and faithful worker. His life was an example of hardwork, determination, strong faith, and common sense. His words of wisdom touched all who knew him
The love and support for his family was of infinite magnitude. He was a proud father who approached fatherhood with a strong hand, wisdom, and a sense of humor. "PaPa" was a proud grandfather who loved, supported, and enjoyed spoiling his grandchildren as

often as possible. He often traveled the road to support his grandchildren's activities or just to get a "taste" of sugar.

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He leaves to cherish his devoted wife of 43 years, Willa Perry of Seale, Alabama; two sons, Undsey (Jackie) Perry, of Huntsville,

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Alabama and Johnny M. (Ann) Perry, Jr. of Nashville, Tennessee;

an adopted son, Jamie Hoskins; two daughters, Tonola Perry and

E3.ine Ponder, both of Atlanta, Georgia; three grandchildren,

Undsay, Jordan, and Jalyn Perry; two brothers, Miller Perry of

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Seale, Alabama and Jessie Perry of Seattle, Washington; five sisters, Bmira (Gregory) Graham and Hattie Perry, both of Seale,

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Alabama, Jacqueline (Foster) Paulk of Sarasota, Aorida, Ruthie

Strayhorn of Wilson, North Carolina and Bla -""ae Brittingham of Wilmington, Delaware; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Dessau of

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Oeveland, Ohio and Johnnie Perry of Columbus, Georgia; three

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brothers-in-law, Hubert (Earline) Jordan and Gifford (Ramona) Jordan, both of Oeveland, OH and Charles (Estelle) Harris of

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Stanford, Connecticut; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives

and friends.

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Johnny Perry, Sr. is an irreplaceable husband, father, grandfather,

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brother, uncle, and friend. His wisdom, love, support, attitude

toward life, and sense of humor will never be forgotten. And as Johnny Perry says it best, "Everything's gonna be alright. "

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....weeping may endw"e for a night, butjoy cometh in the morning.

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Psalms 30:5
L I F E

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To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose

under the heaven:

A time to be bom, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a

time to pluck up that uilich is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a

time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to moum, and a

time to dance;

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones
together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to

cast away;

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and

a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time ofwar, and a time of

peace.

Mlat profit hath he that UXJrketh in that uherein he laboureth?

I have seen the travail, uilich God hath given to the sons of

men to be exercised in it.

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time; also he hath

set the UXJrld in their heart, so that no man can find out the UXJrk

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that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rEjoice,

and to be good in his life.

And also that every man should eat and drink, and er]joy the

good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.