Lola Mae Perry

Lola Mae Perry (Mom) was born to Isom and Laura Hudson on December 23, 1931 in Knott County Kentucky at a rural house in the country.  The house was along the banks of Troublesome Creek so named for the often flooding that occurred when the creek overflowed its banks.  This is Appalachian coal mining country and she was indeed a coal miner’s daughter.  Much of Lorretta Lynn’s famous song relates to what Mom lived growing up.  Talking with her and her sister Kathy about their early years is like opening a window to the past.  From making their own maple syrup and smoked apples and things of everyday life such as drawing water from a well by the bucket, it was evident this was a laborious and hard lifestyle.  From time to time Mom’s dad would dynamite a coal seam nearby and the kids would help gather the coal for their heating and cooking needs.  On one such occasion, Mom went into the blasted area too soon and the entrance to the seam collapsed with Mom inside.  It took nearly three hours to get her out and after that experience Mom never liked being in rooms with the door closed. 

As Mom grew up, the family moved to a coal mining camp and there were some interesting stories about living there as well.  One such story had the elements of sling shots, a neighbor with an open window, and the police.  Both girls were acquitted when the policeman checked on the girls who were “apparently” sleeping at the time.  At the age of about 15 the family moved to Jennings County in Indiana. 

Mom was married twice and her 1st marriage was when she was 18.  She had a daughter (Brenda) and son (Kenneth).  Her 2nd marriage was to Morris Perry in 1955.  In this marriage she had a son (Daniel) and a daughter (Deborah).  Mom had many jobs over her lifetime while in Indiana including working as a cook in local restaurants, many different jobs at nursing homes, she worked at Regal Rugs, and last job was at a plastic injection company making things such as radio and tv nobs and dials, cups, signs, and many other things made of plastic.  This was her last occupation until October of 2004.

In October of 2004 she and her sister Kathy moved to a small farmstead in Marshall County near Viking, Minnesota to begin their retirement.  Growing flowers, feeding birds, and caring for their dogs and cats occupied much of their time.  Both enjoyed the rural setting living on the beach ridge and the trains that come by their house on the tracks just 100 feet away.  Both also enjoyed the fellowship and spiritual blessings attending the Newfolden Evangelical Free Church.  This became their extended family and highlight of the week.  Mom and Kathy helped in the AWANA program at the church.  About the same time Mom got in the habit of bringing treats to the young kids at the church and was often sought after by them when church was over. 

The addition of 18 Chickens to their list of pets served to produce a supply of eggs that were more than they could eat and were often given away.  One such occasion supplied the eggs for the annual Hunter’s Breakfast held at the Newfolden Church.  She loved helping kids go to church camp and the annual Operation Christmas Child Shoebox program. 

Mom’s health declined significantly in late summer this year.  She was moved to a nursing home in Bemidji where her daughter Debbie and Son-in-law John were able to see her daily and assist with her health care needs.  Mom went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, October 9th, 2019. 

Mom is preceded in death by her husband Morris Perry, son Kenneth Large, granddaughter Ellie Jo, parents Isom and Laura Hudson, brothers Charlie and Virgil Hudson, sisters, Janice, Doris Lee, and Ruth Anne.  She is survived by her sister Kathy Hudson, daughters Brenda Prator; Greensburg, IN, Debbie (John) Williams; Bemidji, MN and son Daniel Perry; North Vernon, IN, Grandchildren Ryan (Brenda) Williams; Barnum, MN, Kent (Maggy) Williams; Minneota, MN, Karl Williams; Ogden, UT, Julie Mayhugh; Greensburg, IN, and Tony (Casey) Fulton; Westport, IN, 11 Great Grandchildren, and 2 Great-Great Granddaughters, 5 nieces and 6 nephews.      

A Viewing/Visitation will be held on Friday, Oct 18th from 4:00 to 7:00 with a Celebration of Life service at 6:00pm at the Johnson Funeral Home in Thief River Falls, MN. 

Mom’s earthly body will be flown to Indiana for a funeral service and will be laid to rest beside her husband Morris at Hillcrest Cemetery in North Vernon.

A Viewing/Visitation will be held at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home in North Vernon, IN on Sunday, Oct 27th from 1:00 – 3:00 followed by a funeral service with Rev. Gary Barrett officiating, and grave side service at the Hillcrest Cemetery.

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