Sidney Alexander Perry Sr.'s Obituary
On Sunday, April 26, 2026, God called his beloved son, Sidney Alexander Perry, Sr, to rest in his eternal home at the age of 81.
Sidney Sr. was born on April 9th, 1945 in Louisburg North Carolina to the late Arthur and Octavia Alston Perry. This union was blessed with 7 children of which Sidney was the youngest boy (and one adopted child). It wasn’t long before Sidney affectionately earned the nickname “Jughead” by his family. His mischief and playful antics were notably aimed at his older brother John and other siblings and family members. This youthful spirt would follow him throughout his life.
At an early age he accepted Christ and joined Perry’s Missionary Baptist Church (formerly named Perry’s Chapel) where he was a faithful member. As a youth, Sidney work in the fields priming tobacco, picking cotton and harvesting pumpkins (of which the later he swore off eating for life). He attended and graduated from Perry’s High School in Louisburg, NC, class of 1963. In addition to keeping up with his studies, Sidney was also the school bus driver. It was during this time that he developed valuable experience that prepared him for his future. His passion for driving would lead to a career in the field his retirement. But future goals would be slightly delayed. Drafted during the Vietnam era, he took his first flight to Frankfort, Germany where he was stationed and served in the US Army.
Upon returning stateside, he moved to Washington, DC and lived with his older sister and brother-in-law Joel and Vallie (Val) Mitchell and began his life-long career with truck driving.
It was during this time that he met Mattie Frances Clark. Stories from their courtship vary depending on who you talk with – everything from loaning his car to her older sister to spend time with her (and Mattie putting him out when said sister had not returned at a respectable time) to a brawl when a man called Mattie out of her name after she refused to dance to which Sidney and his friends swiftly defended her honor. But what doesn’t vary, is that from the moment he saw her, she was the one. And something about him in his Coca-Cola uniform sealed the deal for her as well.
Sidney worked for Coca-Cola for many years and like many of the African-American employees of his era, he faced discriminatory practices by the company which denied workers of earned opportunities and benefits. He never complained. Never one to sulk or lose his laughter (y’all know that laugh), Sidney adjusted. He got back on the road with RC Cola, Canada Dry, and BK Miller from which he later retired. Although a big kid, Sidney took his job seriously, never one to call in sick or miss a day.
And it wasn’t just professionally that Sidney enjoyed driving. Before Mapquest or Google Maps; before Lyft or Uber, there was Sidney. If you needed directions (or he thought you did), he was advising of the best route and which roads to avoid. And if you needed a ride, he was there too, shuttling co-workers home to work each day, grandkids to school and sporting actitivies, family to doctor appointments, friends to events, etc. He was there, waiting and don’t be late
His grandkids were an immense area of pride. He loved when they were all over and enjoyed playing cards or other board games – with each event ending with him wanting a picture of him surrounded by all grandkids. He loved cooking for his family, especially fried chicken and fried apples and was typically the one the preparing meals for his sisters and sisters-in-laws and other relatives. Prior to the passing of his older sister Val, he was a frequent visitor - taking meals prepared by Mattie and making sure she got calls from other family members.
Besides his love of family, Sidney interests were varied and diverse. He loved sports. For many years, he bowled in organized leagues and eventually had each of his immediate family in a league at some point. An Orioles fan who watched baseball, Sidney played softball for many years at Oxon Run Park with kids in tow. Sundays were for football and watching the Commanders (formerly Redskins) and Redskins vs Cowboy rivalries extended off the field with trash talk common between him and his sister in law Barbara Jean. While others favored the NBA, he enjoyed both men’s and women’s college basketball.
Outside of sports, his yard was his passion project (to the surprise of many of us). Mowing and maintaining his yard even at 80, he was meticulous about the lines in the yard being perfectly straight, and tended his roses and hydrangeas with loving care. Lowes was one of his favorite places to visit, so he could shop for new gadgets and tools. Next to Lowes, he (and Mattie) loved the casino. Often traveling to West VA or MGM to try their luck at the slots (with or without their eldest child; and hiding it from their youngest). But if you wanted to find them on a Tuesday night, more than likely, he was playing BidWhist, Pot luck meals, trash talking, storytelling, and Big G or the like playing in the background. With Christmas parties and birthday celebrations, these friends created a community that evolved into an extended family.
Sidney was a strong man who was protective of his family and shouldered personal battles quietly within himself. He worked hard and ensured the needs of his family were met with the support of his wife of 56 years. His words could be sharp or comedic (depending on the person or the situation). But truly just a big kid, ready to play and have fun. Sidney spoke his mind. Not always politically correct, but typically laced with humor and gentle sarcasm that endeared him to many. You never had to ask if Sidney was somewhere. You knew. He picked and teased those he cared about, and you stayed on his heart. Not outwardly sentimental, he loved his family and friends deeply, and acts of service were how he demonstrated that love.
Preceding Sidney in death were his parents, Arthur and Octavia Perry, siblings John Perry, Orange Lee Perry, Quinton Alston, Esther Perry, and Vallie Mitchell; Mother and Father in Law George and Bernice Waller Clark; Sisters in Law, Barbara Clark and JoAnn Thompson; Brother in Law Oakley Davis; and cherished nieces and nephew Sherrene Durham, Valerie Ann Mitchell, and Wanda Hunt and Lewis Clark.
Loved ones who remain to remember his infectious laugh and joyous memories, include his devoted wife of 56 years, Mattie Perry, their children, Sidney Perry, Jr (Charlestown, WV) and Jamila Perry (Bowie, MD); five extremely adored grandchildren, Yadira Coleman (Dinesh), Alexia Perry, Aaron Lewis, Kaleb Perry, and Taylor Perry, whom he loved without measure;
two sisters Ida Mae Hunt (Louisburg, NC) and Joyce Edwards (James) of Rolesville, NC; Sister in laws Mary Perry (Baltimore, MD), Edith Alston (Greensboro, NC); Mary Williams (Temple Hills, MD); Janie Davis (Java, VA); Caroline Clark (Java, VA); and Brother in Law Randolph Thompson Jr. (Java, VA); aunts Annie Floyd (Seattle, WA) and Annie Perry (Nashville, NC) and Doris Alston (Raleigh NC) and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews, and relatives and friends too numerous to name but equally loved and cherished.
What’s your fondest memory of Sidney?
What’s a lesson you learned from Sidney?
Share a story where Sidney's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Sidney you’ll never forget.
How did Sidney make you smile?
