Darlene Perry

District Missionary Darlene Perry, 87, took her final rest on April 29, 2024, surrounded by her loving children and family. She was born March 30, 1937, in Catron, Missouri, to Supt. Louis Burgess (deceased) and Indiana (Hall) Burgess (deceased). She moved to Anderson, IN and began her medical occupation being employed at several Health Care facilities and later retiring from Cardinal Services as the Residential Manager/Director.

February 14, 1954, she married Oscar Perry Sr. and to their union 7 children were born.

Mother Perry gave her life to the Lord at an early age of 9, under Elder B.B. Glesspie in Palmer, Mo. She became a faithful member of Powerhouse COGIC under the leadership of Elder Louis Burgess. She supported her husband Overseer Perry as First Lady while they pastored three churches, Mt. Sinai COGIC in Indianapolis, Powerhouse II COGIC in St. Louis, Mo, and Bibleway COGIC in Marion, IN serving faithfully for 27 years until the health issues of her husband. When they could no longer serve as Pastor and First Lady, they became members at New Liberty COGIC under the leadership of Elder Roger Wilkerson. She served faithfully in Indiana under the leadership of four Prelates, Bishop C.E. Bennett (deceased), Bishop W.O. Blakely (deceased), Bishop J.T. Dupree (deceased), and Bishop E. Bobby Warren. She was a licensed COGIC Missionary serving as Local church mother and a District Missionary for over 40 years. Mother Perry also served faithfully in the Women’s Department of Indiana under the leadership of three State Supervisors, Mother Beulah Hatchett (deceased), Mother Beatrice Collins (deceased), and Mother Beverly Bush. She was very active in the C.O.G.I.C. organization and attended many conventions across the country displaying her support and loyalty to the ministry. She served on the Ordination Board for Indiana 3rd Jurisdiction Women's Department. Mother Perry enjoyed working in the church and being a servant for the Lord. She loved her Family and was a Prayer Warrior leading and encouraging her loved ones to accept Christ!

Mother Perry was preceded in death by her husband Overseer Oscar Perry Sr., son Oscar Perry Jr., daughter Shelia Perry Boone, parents Superintendent Louis and Mother Indiana Burgess Sr. In-laws, Will and Lettie Perry, Sisters, Dorothy Mae Spriggs, Ruth Burgess, Virgie Hale, and Corine Wilkerson. Son-in-law, Jimmy Hull, Brothers-in-law, Elder Ray Wright, John Wilkerson, Fred Smiley and Freddie Perry.

Those who remain to cherish her memory are her two daughters, Brenda Perry Hull and Towanda Perry, four sons, Ronald (Jamie) Perry, Will C. (Jane) Perry, Freddie D. (Belva) Perry. One daughter-in-law, Theresa Brewster Perry. Grandchildren: 14 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 1 great- great grandchild, five sisters: Irene Wright, Rosie (Loisey) Stevens (Shreveport, La.), Shirley (Walter) Powell, Schneida Burgess, Wendy Smiley, three brothers: Louis (Shawn) Burgess (Indianapolis), James (Audrey) Burgess, Steve (Rhonda) Burgess (Indianapolis). Three aunts: Helen Triplett and Charlene Hobson (St. Louis, Mo) and Berneice Burgess (Chicago, Il). Sister-in-Law, Betty Jean Perry, Brother-in-Law: Horace Hale, and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.