Robert Edwin Burcham

Robert “Bobby” Edwin Burcham, 42, of Selma, died Saturday, August 21, 2004.

Services will be held Tuesday, August 24, in the Chapel of Lawrence Funeral Home, with Dr. Kenny Hatcher officiating and Lawrence Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Burcham is survived by his mother, Wilma Burcham; father, James Burcham; brothers, Sammy Burcham and Steven Burcham; sisters, Susan Chavers and Cindy Burcham; brothers-in-law, Billy Chavers and Daniel Bender; three nieces; two nephews; and several grand nieces and nephews.

Active pallbearers will be Bubba Sanders, Karl Schiffer, Don Lester Jr., Billy Chavers and Steve Burcham.

Honorary pallbearers will be James Burcham and Sammy Burcham.

The family will receive friends at Lawrence Funeral Home, from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, August 23.

Anania Perry Jr.

The Rev. Ananias Perry Jr., 79, of Selma, died August 20, 2004, at Vaughan Regional Medical Center.

Services will be held Wednesday, August 25, at noon, in the historic Brown Chapel AME Church, with Bishop T. Larry Kirkland and the Rev. James Arnell officiating. Lewis Brothers Funeral Home will direct. Burial will be held in the Fairlawn Memorial Gardens.

Presiding Elder Perry was born March 20, 1925, in Cahaba, the fifth child of the late Rev. Ananias Perry Sr. and Carrie Millhouse Perry. He attended various schools due to the family frequently moving and at 18, he was drafted to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II. He served from 1943 to 1946 and received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat.

He served the last 12 years as Presiding Elder of the Montgomery District, Alabama Conference. Prior to accepting his appointment, he served as pastor for 35 years of numerous churches, accepting each pastoral charge with the understanding that it presented another opportunity to do the Lord’s will, where the need is greater and the opportunity more challenging. Presiding Elder Perry accepted his call to the ministry in early 1959 and was ordained and appointed pastor of Bethel AME – Selma and Bethel AME – Pleasant Hill approximately six months later. His early ordination reflects that he was truly called long before he officially accepted his calling. Prior to entering the ministry, he sang in several Gospel groups, with the Pilgrim Four being the most notable. In addition to Bethel Selma and Bethel Pleasant Hill, the Rev. Perry’s pastoral charges included Brien Chapel Burnsville; Mallard Chapel Autaugaville; Grant Chapel Selma; Wayman Chapel Summerville; and the Black Bluff Circuit: Wayman and Tate in Coy. In addition to touching lives and saving souls, noteworthy accomplishments during his years as a pastor included rebuilding Brien Chapel because of its dilapidated state, Grant Chapel after it was burned, and remodeling Mallard, Wayman and Tate Chapels, because of physical conditions. Two churches in the Montgomery District, Mt. Olive, Pineapple and Jones Chapel, Inverness were also rebuilt under his leadership.

While working various jobs, running the family farm and serving as pastor, Rev. Perry furthered his theological studies through self-study initiatives and attending seminars and other opportunities as they came available. His anointing, understanding of scripture and having a heart for people enabled him to be recognized as an effective leader in every endeavor. PE Perry’s appointment to the Daniel Payne College Board of Directors in 1995 is an indication of his character and ability to work well with others.

Survivors include a loving and devoted wife of 51 years, Vera Boiling Perry; nine sons, Richard Perry, Springville; Al (Renate) Perry, the Rev. Isiah (Cheryl) Perry, the Rev. Micah (Janice) Perry, Selma; Curtis (Tulato) Perry, Augusta, Ga.; Ananias (Yvonne) Perry III, Millbrook; the Rev. David (Peggy) Perry, Athens; Roy Collins, Chicago; a daughter, Patricia Perry (David) Moore, Demopolis; two brothers Hosea Perry and Benjamin (Nettie) Perry, Selma; sisters, Carrie Perry (George) Bethea, Montgomery; Minnie Perry Kendrick, Boston, Mass.; fifteen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. Others who regarded Rev. Perry as “Pop” and recognized as sons and daughters include Carlos (Lakesia) Grimes, Bradley (Kewonia) and George Grimes, Stanley Brown, Valerie Newell and Tyson

He was preceded in death by a son, Robert James Steele; brothers Richard Perry Sr. and Lovell Perry Sr.; and a sister, Laura Perry Purifoy; and Tyson Carbajal. Because of his sweet spirit, the Rev. Perry befriended everyone, but among those whom were considered a friend and “closer than a brother,” Zeke Fulford and the Rev. Albert Curry. The family requests in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Ananias Perry Jr. Scholarship Fund, Regions Bank, 101 Church Street, Selma, AL 36701.