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COLERAIN, NC – J. Wallace Perry, 84, of Wakelon Road, passed away March 5, 2022, at his home.

He was born at his homeplace on October 16, 1937 to the late Lee O. and Vera Baker Perry and predeceased by brothers, Oliver, Randolph, and John Perry; sisters, Martha Baker, Catherine Henry, Doris Holloman, Carolyn Lassiter, Joyce Perry, and Elsie Williams; and granddaughter, Sarah Perry.

Wallace loved his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was married to his high school sweetheart for 65 years.

Wallace was proud of his job, protecting Bertie County as Deputy Sheriff, Sheriff, and County Commissioner. Sheriff Perry served the county as either a Deputy or Sheriff for a total of 30 years and 2 months. He was first elected as sheriff in 1982 and was re-elected three more times. He served on the Sheriff’s Education Training and Standard Commission as vice-Chairman and Chairman. He was a member of the Sheriff’s Training and Standards Commission, was appointed by Attorney General Michael F. Easley to serve as a member of the Training and Standards Advisory Board; Chairman of Drug Task Force; served the North Carolina Sheriff’s Association in many offices, including President.

Wallace was a member of Monic Lodge #5 and attended the Colerain Baptist Church. After his retirement from the Sheriff’s Department, he was elected to the Bertie County Board of Commissioners.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Colerain Baptist Church. Rev. Gary Saffell will officiate. Burial will follow in the Perry Memorial Cemetery on Perry School Road.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley Phelps Perry of the home; son, J. Wallace Perry, Jr. and wife Jona of Colerain; sister, Esther Perry of Colerain; grandchildren, Scott Perry and wife Codie, Daniel Perry and wife Mindy, and Jessica Perry, and husband John; and great grandchildren, Carter and Layla Cummings, and Isabelle, Tucker, and Charlotte Perry.

The family will receive friends on Monday, March 7, 2022, from 6-7:30 p.m. at Walker Funeral Home and from the home at other times. Memorial gifts may be made to Colerain Baptist Church, 202 North Main St., Colerain, NC 27924 or to Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565.

Online condolences may be directed to www.walkerfh.net. Walker Funeral Home of Windsor is serving the Perry family.