Mary Lou Perry, 86, of Ashland, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, May 26, at her home while receiving Hospice care. Mary Lou was born at Bruin in Elliott County, KY, the daughter of the late John Beecher Greene and Sara Rose Greene.
At the tender age of 10, Mary Lou's parents allowed her the great privilege of attending and boarding at Erie School in Olive Hill, KY. This was a tremendous sacrifice for her parents, as in 1944, Olive Hill and Bruin seemed hundreds of miles apart due to lack of many paved roadways. While at Erie, a school established by the Women's Missionary Society of Methodist Church, Mary Lou excelled, made lifelong friends of fellow students and teachers, and most importantly, met the love of her life, Robert Nelson Perry. Upon graduation from Erie, Mary Lou moved to Ashland and attended Ashland Business College while living with her beloved Uncle Jobe and Aunt Ethyel Rose. When her beloved Bob graduated from Erie, they were married.
After business college, Mary Lou worked at Ashland Oil. As was the policy at that time, she left her job when it became evident that she was expecting her first child.
Bob's job at Ashland Oil led them to northern Kentucky, where they lived first in Erlanger, then Butler. She was then a full-time mother and homemaker, and her family, friends, church, and community involvement brought her great joy. A later transfer brought them back to eastern Kentucky and near to their dear family, first to Elliott County then to Ashland.
Mary Lou reentered the workforce in the mid sixties, first working beside her sister Laura Ann in the ASCS office in Sandy Hook, then later working for the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the Bureau for Vocational Rehabilitation. She retired in 1994 and filled her retirement years caring for, loving, and spending time with her family and friends. Her longtime membership in the Wildwood Church of God and participation with her sisters in Christ in the Freda Rice Circle were very precious to her.
Perhaps Mary Lou's greatest joy was her grandchildren, Sara and Alex, who she often said saved her life after she lost her beloved Bob in 1991. She was inspired to become a Hospice volunteer in part by her grandchildren who were volunteers during their high school years. Mary Lou became a volunteer receptionist at the Hospice Care Center in Ashland, even received a 10 year pin for her service.
Mary Lou was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bob, her brother Robert L. Greene, and her step-grandson Kevin Crisp. Those left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Teresa Montague (Phillip); son, Robert Brent "Doc" Perry (Trecia), all of Ashland; granddaughter Sara Montague Miller (Alex) of Ocean Springs, MS; grandson, Dr. Alex Montague of Lexington, KY; and great-grandchildren Afton Rose Miller and Jonas Nelson Miller of Ocean Springs, MS.
Additional survivors include a brother, Donald R. Greene (Reba); sisters, Laura Ann Evans and Norieta Dickerson; sister-in-law, Gracie Greene, all of Bruin; brother-in-law, W. Fred Perry of Spring, TX; and brother and sister-in-law, Sam R. and Helen Perry of Dunwooody, GA.
A host of nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbors, and friends will cherish the memory of one of God's most faithful servants.
The family would like to thank Mary Lou's caregivers, Jean and Shirley, who were so kind and helpful during her final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to Community Hospice (1480 Carter Ave., Ashland, KY 41101) or charity of one's choice.
A private family funeral will be held on Sunday, May 31, at 2:00pm at Lewis and Ferguson Funeral Home in Sandy Hook, KY with burial to follow in Elliott County Memory Gardens. A drive-by visitation will be conducted for public at 1:00pm until time of service.
Covid-19 requirements and regulations will be observed.
Details of "drive-by visitation" public will enter Lewis and Ferguson parking lot and be directed to location where an attendant will sign the register/memory book on their behalf and relay memory cards to vehicle occupants. Visitors will not be permitted outside of their vehicles. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
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