Betty Perry

Betty Perry, 88, passed away Monday, Nov. 21, 2011, in Charlotte.
She entered this life May 15, 1923, in Johnstown, Pa., the youngest of eight children. Blessed with a keen intellect, she skipped two grades on the way to graduation from high school at the age of 16. She married the late Richard Oliver Perry in 1942. They settled in Chambersburg, Pa., where they brought forth three children.
It was in raising a family that Betty Perry found her calling. Infinitely patient, especially with young children, she created an atmosphere of warmth, love, intellectual curiosity and humor that nurtured her daughter and two sons, rendering their home a magnet for other children in the town. She continued on with a Pied Piper-like ability to engage her grandchildren and great- grandchildren in creative, constructive play.
Betty Perry loved games. She was a formidable Scrabble player, but her passion was duplicate bridge. She inspired us all when she embarked on a quest to achieve the rank of Silver Life Master in the American Contract Bridge League while in her late 60s. Never a slave to conventional theory, she declared that she didn’t need to study any more bridge tactics; she just needed more luck. And she got it, achieving her goal at the age of 70.
Her legacy is that she taught us everything we needed to know about family, about how it takes quality and quantity time, firm guidance leavened with love and acceptance, open and candid communication, and laughter, lots of laughter.
She is survived by a son, Ronald B. Perry, of Hilton Head, S.C.; a daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Dr. Dana Hershey, of Charlotte; a son and daughter-in-law, Dr. and Mrs. Glenn B. Perry, of Charlotte; grandchildren Dana Elizabeth Perry, Stacy Perry Dragulescu and her husband, Tudor, Brett Perry Hershey, Allison Hershey Fleming and her husband, Patrick, Janet Hershey McClure and her husband, Sam, Brad Perry, Jo Ann Perry; Michael and Ryan Perry; and great-grandchildren Aden, Ella, and Ian Dragulescu, Savannah and Oliver Fleming, Alexandra Hershey, Wyatt and Harper McClure.
It was Betty Perry’s request to have a private family memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hilton Head Island Junior Bridge, c/o Ron Perry, 10 Angler Pond Court, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. Online condolences may be made at www.hankinswhittington.com.
Arrangements by Hankins and Whittington Funeral Service.