Mr. George Perry, longtime Principal of Cedar Bluff Middle School passed away on Saturday February 14 after a long courageous fight. Mr. Perry retired from Cedar Bluff in 1998. His 32 years as Principal of Cedar Bluff Middle, clearly earned him the title of Mr. Cedar Bluff. His obituary is below,
PERRY, GEORGE M. – Age 80 of Powell, went home to be with the Lord on February 14, 2015 after a courageous battle with Parkinson Disease. He was an active member of First Baptist Church, Powell, where he served as deacon and Director of the Senior Adult Choir and Worship Ensemble. His dedication to the Music Ministry includes decades of service: Hillcrest Baptist, Morristown, Second Baptist Church, Clinton and Parkway Baptist, Knoxville. After receiving an Associate’s Degree from Mars Hill College, NC, he earned his BS in Sociology at Carson Newman College, and MS in Administration Supervision at UT Knoxville. His career as an educator span from 1957-1998 as a teacher for Morristown City Schools, Principal of Clinton Senior High School, and 32 years as Principal of Cedar Bluff Middle School, Knoxville where he piloted numerous programs for the Knox County School System. He was one of the founders and served as President of the East TN Association of Middle Schools, and received the Don Rhodes Distinguished Service Award for his service to young people through the TAMS organization. He diligently worked with St. Jude Children’s Hospital during and beyond his years at Cedar Bluff, and hosted and participated in many fund raising activities for the organization. He is lovingly remembered for his wit, talent, passion for learning, and larger than life presence; but more importantly for his love for his wife and family; and most of all, his love for Jesus and dedication to serving him. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Doris Perry; three children Chuck (Theresa) Perry of Morristown, TN, George Ann Perry of Morristown, TN and Melody (Rusty) Holloway of Hendersonville, TN; grandson Matthew Perry, who lovingly served as his caregiver for two years; grandchildren Thomas and Olivia Grace Holloway of Hendersonville, TN, Keith (Erin) Holloway, of Kenya, Africa, and Daniel Butler, Morristown, TN; brothers Larry (Joanne) Perry of Roanoke, VA, Howard (Rowena) Perry of Oak Hill, WVA, Jim (Johanna) Perry of Charlottesville, VA; sister Betty (Jack) Englert of Howard Beach, NY and several nieces and nephews. Special thanks to the staff of Covenant Hospice Center for their compassionate and tender care during his last days. Funeral Arrangements: The family will receive friends on Thursday February 19 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Powell, with funeral services immediately following at 7:00 pm. The interment will be Friday, February 20th at Woodhaven Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens in Powell, TN, with Pastor Phil Jones and Jim Waddell of First Baptist, Powell officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Church Powell Building Fund, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN. Condolences can be made at www.woodhavenfh.com. Woodhaven Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens are honored to serve the Perry family.
