Arthur Perry

Deacon Arthur C. Perry, Sr., affectionally known as ‘Check’ was born amongst nine children to the late Samuel J. Perry and Phyllis Perry in Columbia, South Carolina.  He was reared in the City of Columbia, South Carolina and in an area known as the Waverly Community where he received his Richland County public education and earned his diploma from CA Johnson High School.

Marriage

Check exchanged vows with Katherine Doris Spann on November 13, 1977 at the United House of Prayer in Columbia, South Carolina ministered by the late Elder G. L. Jennings. In their union of 41 years, they raised three children, traveled and lived in various states within the US, as well as lived in two other countries. 

Careers

Petty Officer Perry enlisted into the United States Armed Services Navy Branch in 1974 initially serving his time onboard navy ships across the seas, and then transitioned onland for the remaining of his assignments.  His chosen military occupation specialty was Navy Seabee electrician (Construction Battallion). Participating in the reconstruction of the aftermath of Mount Pinatubo volcano eruption in the Philippines was one of his most challenging assignments.  He retired from the US Navy in San Francisco, California in the year of 1993.  Later, he joined the US Postal Services and the Mail Handlers; he was elected as President of the Mail Handlers Union and proudly served to assist anyone in need. He also retired from his second career.

Community Service

Deacon Perry valued the importance of community involvement.  In the course of his military career, he volunteered in numerous programs and leadership roles within his assigned command units.  In the military-base communities, he served as a baseball coach; drug and alcohol counselor; community judge for save-the-electricity projects; fundraising project judge; and more.  Using his military skills and experience, he participated in the construction projects at the United House of Prayer of San Francisco, California and the Squire Homes in Forest Acres of Columbia, South Carolina.

Arthur C. Perry, Sr. was a Tyler for Mabuhay Lodge of Prince Hall Masons in Zambales, Republic of the Philippines. He was uprooted as a mason in Gulfport, Mississippi and served in Okinawa, Japan; Maryland; Philippines; and Georgia. 

Faith

Deacon Perry was a life-long member of the United House of Prayer For All People.  His mother, the late Sister Phyllis Perry, assurred his name was recorded on the United House of Prayer membership records immediately upon his birth.  His membership status served as a third-time generation member (initiated by his maternal grandmother) of the organization.  He and his wife, Katherine, continued to do the same for their children, and descendants going forward.

Although, he is a forever memorable member of the Mother House of Columbia, South Carolina, his travels also landed him the opportunity to serve as a member of the following Houses:   Burton, Virginia; Marshall Heights of Washington, District of Columbia; Mother House of Augusta, Georgia; and San Francisco, California, all of which he contributed valuable services. 

Listing of Faith Services

Not only did Deacon Perry serve time as President of the Deacon Board but he also served as a Sunday School Superintendent; Business Board member; band member with the Kings of the South; and founder of the Columbia Mother House Jr. Band.  Deacon Perry had a deep compassion for people collectively and matters that effected them. His service of faith also included teaching many young brothers how to play musical instruments; he was passionate  about embracing brotherhood strength for overall growth and development. Deacon Perry did not like to see his brethren struggle.  He could not tolerate it well; he often quietly attempted to find methods to address how to structure a way to remove the crutch of a fellow troubled brother.

Hey Check, do you love your wife, your family, your brethen, friends, and the faith of the United House of Prayer wholeheartedly? He would probably say….”thaaaat’s right.”

Deacon A. Perry was preceded in death by his father, Samuel James Perry; his mother, Phyllis Perry; his sisters, Sandra Morris and Zenobia Perry; and a his brother, Phillip Perry.

Left to cherish Deacon A. Perry’s most precious memories are his wife, Katherine D. Perry; three children: Tina Perry; his sons Darrell Perry and Arthur C. Perry, Jr. (all of Columbia, SC); Two brothers: Adam (Jean) Perry of Alexandria, Virginia and Eddie J. (Dirana) of NewPort News, Virginia; three sisters: Glendell Perry and Catherine Myers (of Columbia, SC) and Martha Munns (Rockhill, SC); four grand-children; one-great-grand child; a god-grand daughter; a host of nieces and nephews, loving cousins relatives and dear friends all of whom will miss him dearly. 

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