LaRue (Langley) Perry passed away February 23, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina just shy of her 91st birthday. LaRue was born in Elm City, North Carolina on March 12, 1927 as the only child to parents William Haywood Langley and Minnie Privette (Carter) Langley. She was married to William Stowe Perry on August 12, 1949 in Elm City. They were married for 35 years.
LaRue graduated Valedictorian from Elm City High School in 1944. She graduated from Greensboro College in 1948 with a Bachelor of Music degree. She married Bill in 1949 and together they raised four sons. Music was integral to LaRue’s life - she was a naturally gifted piano player who could play any tune requested without sheet music. She was a vocalist and turned down an offer to perform with the Chicago Lyric Opera. She taught Music in the Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for 31 years, 16 of those as Choral Director at South Mecklenburg High School. As an active member at Covenant Presbyterian Church, LaRue sang in the choir, was Choir Mother for the Children’s Choir, a member of the Hand Bell Choir and pianist for her Sunday School class. At Covenant she served as Chair of Women’s Circle and President of her Sunday School class. Additional memberships included Charlotte Woman’s Club; Alpha Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma; Honorary Teachers’ Society; the Charlotte Chapter of Greensboro College Alumnae Association, serving a term as President; and Myers Park Country Club.
LaRue was also an avid sports fan, supporting her sons as they played many years of Little League, Pop Warner, middle school, high school and college sports. She loved Duke University and was delighted when she received a thank you note from Coach K after she wrote to congratulate him on his first national championship. LaRue was a PSL ticket owner of the Carolina Panthers football franchise, traveling to Clemson in the early days before the stadium was built. She was introduced to Owner Jerry Richardson as the Panthers’ biggest fan and he took her on a personal tour of the new stadium. For over 20 years LaRue rarely missed a game, orchestrating tailgates and tolerating heat, rain and freezing weather up until last year, always wearing Panther Blue from head to toe.
Considered by her family as their indomitable matriarch, LaRue hosted many gatherings at her home on Queens Road West and enjoyed annual trips to the beach with her growing family for over 30 years. She was determined to live independently and did so until December, brewing her coffee in the morning and enjoying her glass of wine in the evening.
Mrs. Perry is predeceased by her parents and her husband. She is survived by sons William Stowe Perry, II (Linda); William Haywood Langley Perry (Carol); Lewin Carter Perry (Joan); and Chadwick Keith Perry (Phyllis). She was the proud grandmother of eleven grandchildren - Lauren Perry; Scott Perry (Lily); Dallas Cockrell (Ross); Langley Perry, Jr., Caroline Beaver (Drew); Sarah LaRue Perry; Stowe Perry; Kathleen Perry; Elizabeth Perry; London Perry and Chadwick Perry; three great-grandchildren, Lila, Mia and Vivian Perry; and three cousins, Arnette Brewington, Bobbi Hewitt, Marye Ann Fincher. She often joked that she couldn’t keep up with everybody.
On Monday, March 19, a private interment will be held at the family mausoleum at Sharon Memorial Park, followed by a Memorial Service for friends and family at 1:00 p.m. at Covenant Presbyterian Church with Associate Pastor, Joan H. Watson presiding. Guests are invited to join the family for a Reception in the Fellowship Hall after the service.
With love and gratitude, the family acknowledges the friendship and loving care of Ann Ratliff and Carolyn Davis. Because LaRue was a two-time breast cancer survivor, the family asks that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the American Cancer Society in her honor.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18