Joe Burns Perry, beloved father, cherished Papaw, devoted son and treasured friend, departed this life to be with the Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 17th at his home, surrounded by his family. He was 91 years old. One of four children, he was born on September 15th, 1932 to Carl Henry and Maude Baliff Perry.
He is also preceded in death by a sister, Charlotte Tucker, a brother, Floyd Perry; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Archie and Anna Ellis Buck; and sister-in-law, Shelia Perry.
Joe was a member of Valley Haven Baptist Church where he served as deacon, Sunday school teacher and superintendent. He was a member of the Banner Elk Town Council from 1981 until 2022, a Banner Elk Reserve Officer from 1989 until current, Republican Precinct Chair of Banner Elk. He was an outdoorsman who loved nature and the rivers, and was an avid fisherman and hunter, as well as a member of Elk River Falls Fishing Club since 1955 and Security Treasurer since 1957. He was never without a flashlight or a fishing pole and had quite a collection of both. He was also a member of the Cranberry Masonic Lodge #598 A.F. & A.M. for 70 years. Joe was a graduate of Banner Elk Elementary School, Cranberry High School and Lees McRae College, and earned his Bachelor’s in Education from Appalachian Teacher’s College and a Master’s in Education from ASU.
For 15 years, he taught school at Concord, Newland and Banner Elk, then served as Principal of Banner Elk for 15 years as well, and never forgot a face or name of his former students. He received many awards and accolades throughout his life for his many achievements.
Joe loved his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved his church as well. He was lovingly referred to as Dr. Papaw by the staff at Baptist Hospital while staying with his granddaughter during her many hospital stays.
Surviving is his loving wife of almost 70 years, Clara Buck Perry; a son, Terry Perry and his wife, Debbie, of Morganton; a daughter, Sherry Perry of Banner Elk; four grandchildren: Gregory Perry and wife, Jennifer of Marion, Kristy Guillen and husband, Rico, of Morganton, Kristen Woodie Perry of Banner Elk, and Adam Wise of Asheville; four great-grandchildren: Abigail Perry, Connor Perry, Gabrielle Guillen and Isabelle Guillen; a brother, Jim Perry of Banner Elk; best friends, Shelia and Mike Ruppard of Banner Elk. He is survived as well by numerous other extended family members.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 28th in the Foscoe Christian Church. Rev. Herbert Hash will officiate. The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
A private inurnment will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to one of the following: Ronald McDonald House Charities at 418 N. State of Franklin Road, Johnson City, TN 37604; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105; and Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.
To send online condolences, please visit: www.yanceyfuneralservice.com
