May Seigler Perry

AIKEN, SC -- May Seigler Perry went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 5, 2010 at age 94. Born in 1916 in Aiken, SC, she was the daughter of the late Dempsey Wardlaw Seigler and Gussie May Wright Seigler.

A lifelong resident of Aiken, she graduated from Aiken Institute, lettering in basketball, and later participated in the PTA at Aiken Elementary School, where all six of her children attended. She earned certification as a water safety instructor for the American Red Cross.

As a member of Kalmia Hill Chapel for over 50 years, she served as pianist and as an active member of the Women's Missionary Society. Her passions were missions and hospitality, and she opened her home countless times to visiting speakers, missionaries, family, and friends. She was also very involved in the New Covenant Presbyterian Women's Group.

She catered for many years and worked as dietician at the Aiken Prep School until retirement. She volunteered at the following Christian youth camps: Camp Hope in Georgia, Alethia Springs in Virginia, Greenwood Hills in Pennsylvania, and Camp Mini-Yo-We in Canada. A year was spent at Ireland Outreach in Dublin. Her last act of giving was her decision to donate her body to the Medical College of Georgia for medical education.

Mrs. Perry loved gardening and traveled extensively, even into her mid eighties, when she visited five continents in six weeks.

She is survived by her six children Robert Spence "Skipper" (Anne) Perry, Jr., Aiken; Mary Anne (Dave) Gunneson, Chattanooga, TN; William Wardlaw (Rosalie) Perry, Hallandale Beach, FL; Susan (Otto) McCarty, Aiken; Jeannie (Earle) Robinson, Martinez, GA; Addison (Eric) deAurora, St. Simons Island, GA. She is survived by grandchildren: Stan Perry, Richard Perry, Anna Gunneson Wall, David Gunneson, Adrian Perry, Barclay Robinson Greer, Stephen Robinson, Earle Robinson, Jr., Robert deAurora, Wesley deAurora, Spence deAurora, Jessica deAurora, Sterling deAurora, step grandchildren Angela McCarty Strickland & Michael McCarty. She is survived by great-grandchildren: William Spence and Anne Healy Perry; Joshua, Susan, Sara, and Andrew Wall; Gacomo and William Gunneson; Leighton Spillane; Ainsley Greer; Cameron and Elli Robinson; step great-grandchildren Dannion Redd and Lauren McCarty.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Perry was preceded in death by her husband Robert Spence Perry, a grandson Leighton James deAurora and great grandson William Lester Greer, Jr.

She is survived by a sister Sara Seigler Sexton. She was predeceased by her brothers Wesley Wardlaw Seigler and John Felder Seigler and sister Curtis Seigler Millard.

A memorial service will be held Thursday at 11:00 AM at New Covenant Presbyterian Church with The Reverend's Mike Phillips, Bill Gustafson and Don Barnes officiating.

Pallbearers will be Mrs. Perry's grandsons, Stan Perry, Richard Perry, David Gunneson, Stephen Robinson, Earle Robinson, Jr., Robert deAurora, Wesley deAurora, Spence deAurora. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Glover, Charlie Heavner, Tom Glover, Lester Boyd, Chris Glover, Billy Holley, Wes Poplin, Soren McMillan, Tim Newcome, Nathan Hamilton, Joe Jacobson, Bo Dyches, Jimmy Mayberry, Rex Trogdon, Eric Valdois, Dr. Gerald Stiles, Ed Myers, Lee Lohre, Everette Tarver, Ray Moore, Rich Meyer, Danford Meischen, Sam Thorpe, Joel Radcliffe, H.O. Weeks, Jr., H.A. McClearen.

The family will be at the home of her son, Skipper Perry, 11 Normandy Lane, Aiken, SC. They will receive friends at Shellhouse Funeral Home, Wednesday from 6 to 8 PM.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Christian Missions in Many Lands Inc., Post Office Box 13, Spring Lake, New Jersey 07762.

Please visit the online guest register at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com. SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC