Eldridge Wells Perry

Eldridge Wells Perry, 90, of Buena Vista, GA, died Wednesday, July 24, 2013, in Columbus, GA.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, July 28, 2013, at Buena Vista United Methodist Church with Rev. Mark Poole and Rev. Jerry Akin officiating. Burial with Masonic rights will follow the service at Buena Vista Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Steve Perry, Dave Perry, Mike Buford, Stephen Perry, Lance Perry, Ashley Wheeler, Chris Wheeler, and Stuart Perry. The family will receive friends on Saturday, July 27, 2013 from 5 to 6pm and at other times at Perry’s Pleasant Pastures in Tazewell, Georgia.

Mr. Perry was born August 31, 1922, in Tazewell, GA to Clarence Eldridge and Mary Eula Wells Perry. He was Methodist by faith and had been a member of Buena Vista United Methodist Church since the age of six.  He served as Lay Leader of Marion Methodist Circuit, and as a trustee of Buena Vista United Methodist Church.  He attended grade school in Tazewell, graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1940, followed by Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He then attended the University of Georgia.  He was active in politics at ABAC, serving as president of the student body the year he graduated.  He served in the General Assembly of Georgia as follows: House of Representatives 1957-58 and 1963-64; senate 1959-60 from the 24th Senatorial District; was the youngest man to serve in the Senate from Marion County.  In his lifetime, Mr. Perry was a merchant, a farmer, and an insurance agent. He worked over 30 years with the Department of Agriculture. He was also the chairman of the Marion County-Buena Vista Development Authority. He taught Vocational Agriculture at the Marion County High School for several years as well as serving as past President of the Buena Vista Lions Club. He was a Mason for over 50 years and enjoyed woodworking, farming and gardening. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Lane Perry, a son-in-law, David Oxford, and a brother, Tom Perry.

He is survived by a daughter Mary Polly Oxford of Americus, GA, one grandchild, Clay Oxford and wife Marlee of Americus, a brother, William & Joyce Perry of Americus, GA; and one great grandchild, Isabella Kate Oxford. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Watson-Tante Funeral Home is in charge of these arrangements.