Judith S. Perry was born in Downs, Kansas on February 11, 1933 and went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 4, 2011. She was a devout woman who gave her best to all of the numerous activities in which she was involved throughout her life. Her parents, James and Mabel Smith, preceded her in death as well as her sister and brother. As Salutatorian of her High School class she won an academic scholarship to the University of Kansas soon to be augmented by a Pan Hellenic scholarship and was a shoo-in for Phi Beta Kappa. She fell in love with a young man majoring in geology who also had a scholarship, soon to be augmented by one of four baseball scholarships given by the University of Kansas.

John and Judith met in the school library where both were studying and a coffee date led to 57 1/2 years of blissful marriage, broken up by 2 years of separation when John served his country in Viet Nam as Forward Air Controller. Judith loved her church, The Holy Way Presbyterian, and was very close to her minister and she had a particular interest in the music program in which she was a superior singer and pianist. In her early days she performed for numerous weddings and funerals throughout northern Kansas. She fought a long and hard battle against numerous health problems. She wasn’t ready to depart until she felt all her children were on fairly firm footing.

Judith will be missed immensely by all who knew and loved her, especially her husband and children. She will, no doubt, be missed widely in the world.

She will surely brighten the kingdom around God’s great throne. Survivors include her husband, John L. Perry, Tucson, AZ; son, John M. Perry (Angie) of Valley Grande, AL; daughters, Joy P.Carchedi (John) of Georgetown, TX; Jeanine P. White of Phoenix, AZ. Grandchildren: Kathryn Winter (Doug), Sacramento, CA; Karolyn J. Mayo,Sacramento, CA; Turner C. Mayo, Austin, TX; Elizabeth J. Perry, Valley Grande, AL; Brittany P. Pacheco (Alfredo), Buckeye, AZ; Kaylee C. Bearden, Phoenix, AZ; Johnathon P. White, Phoenix, AZ, and Ashley W. Bakemeier (Ryan),Whitehall, NY.

She is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be Friday, March 18, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at The Holy Way Presbyterian Church, 4040 S. Bilbray Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85746.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to The Holy Way Presbyterian Church Music Ministry or Building Fund, The American Heart Association or any charity of your choice. Arrangements by Bring’s Memorial Chapel, Tucson, AZ.