Ofelia Pérez

Ofelia was born on May 6, 1928, in Vueltas, Villa Clara, Cuba. She was the 12th of 15 children of the late Serafín González and Rosa Briganty. She is preceded in death by her siblings Gustavo, Gloria, Rita, Ana Rosa, Felicia, Nimia, Paula, Flora, Andrés, Ondina, Ernesto, Carmen, Ramón, and Antonio.

Her life was transformed when she heard the gospel and trusted Christ as her Savior at the age of 16. The year she was born the Evangelical Association of Cuba founded a Bible institute called Los Pinos Nuevos where she and four of her siblings received Bible training. During the summers she did mission work in rural villages in Cuba. She learned many hymns as she sang in the school choir and had the opportunity to sing duets with her sister on the school’s radio program. Throughout her life her greatest joy was spending time in the Bible and encouraging others to do so. She quoted the Bible frequently. It was her source of strength and comfort, and she wanted others to know the Lord through His Word.

She came to the US in April of 1960. While she had planned to come for a few months, she stayed the rest of her life. She married Jorge Pérez, from Colombia, on March 7, 1964, and their marriage lasted until her husband passed away 40 years later. She and Jorge became US citizens in 1968. She loved the US – its people, its culture, its food, and its malls. During their married life they lived in NJ, CT, GA, and SC. The 23 years she spent in Atlanta caused her to be an avid Braves fan. She was an amazing cook, enjoying entertaining well into her 90’s. She was known for sending homemade chicken noodle soup to sick friends.

She prayed faithfully for her daughter, Rosa and son-in-law Lloyd, 5 grandchildren: Valerie and husband Alex Francia, Matthew, Ellie, Susanna, Anna Lynn Myers and 3 great-grandchildren, Emma, Calvin and Aliya Francia. She was loved by nieces and nephews in several states: Julie Folch (Juan) and Tony Dominguez of Winter Park, FL, Silvia González of Monroe Township, NJ, Ernesto (Mayté), Jessica and Gabriel González of Miami, FL, Tony Dominguez of Winter Park, FL and María Elena González of Key West, FL. She will also be missed by the friends in her church, Iglesia Bíblica Tabernáculo, as well as by many others in Greenville, SC.

Psalm 71:17 “O God, thou hast taught me from my youth, and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.”

A visitation for Ofelia will be held Wednesday, July 5, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 11:45 AM at Iglesia Bíblica Tabernáculo, 126 E. Mountain Creek Rd., Greenville, SC 29609 with a funeral service to follow at 12:00 PM. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens, 14050 E Wade Hampton Blvd, Greer, SC 29650 immediately after the funeral.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mackeywoodlawn.com for the family.