Patsy Perry

Patsy Tripp Perry, 86, of Wake Forest, went home to be with her heavenly father while surrounded by her loving family Thursday, September 15. A Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, September 24, 2022, at Joyner's Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Snow Hill Cemetery. Reverend Daniel Savage will officiate. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 9:30 – 10:45 at Joyner's Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson. Patsy is survived by her son, Brian Perry and his wife, Wanda; daughter, Joanna Haakinson and her husband, Greg; granddaughter, Jessica Perry; grandson, Josh Perry and his wife, LeighAnn; great granddaughter, Ryleigh Perry; great grandson, John Perry; brothers, Roger Tripp and his special friend, Elizabeth Harrington, Ricky Tripp and his wife Theresa. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, John Thomas Perry, Sr.; parents, Bud Ashby Tripp and Evelyn Tyson Tripp-Wade; stepfather, Bruce Wade; son, John Thomas "Tommy" Perry, Jr.; brothers, Autrey Tripp, Kenneth Tripp, Sr., Billy Tripp and Jim Grimsley. Patsy followed in her mother's footsteps living her life in service of others as a nurse, just as her daughter followed in hers. Her career in nursing spanned over 46 years in which she had many great accomplishments. She established the Emergency Medical Services program, at Wilson Technical Community College, including the EMT and EMTI programs, which later developed into the addition of the Paramedics Program. She later worked in Infection Control and as the Staff Development Director of the North Carolina Special Care Center (now known as the Longleaf Neuro-Medical Center). Following retirement, she enjoyed crafting, gardening, and cheering on her beloved Carolina basketball team (go Tarheels!). Patsy loved spending time and laughing with family and friends. She was known for her quick-witted humour, baking (deliciously famous rum cakes!), love and compassion for all. She loved teasing her brothers, and together they were always pranking and getting each other in trouble. She would say her greatest accomplishment was her children. She loved them more than anything. Growing up as a nurse's child, you couldn't get away with feigned illnesses, but when you had a real illness or injury, she was the best mom to have. We will cherish her memory and her legacy will live on in all of us. We love you, "you butt!"