Jerlene Perry passed away on Thursday, October 15, 2020 at the age of 92. She is survived by her son, retired Circuit Court Judge Buddy (Jean) Perry and her grandson, Mark Edward (Sabra) Perry. She is preceded in death by her husband of 71 years Wallace Edward (Buddy) Perry and her grandson, Brent David Perry. She was born in Huntland, Tennessee to the late, Agie and Della McWorter Massey. At the age of 14 her father passed away, so she and her mother left the family farm and moved to Winchester. Due to the hard economic times, she left school early, and took a job at Genesco Shoe Factory to help support her family. At the age of 17, she married her true love, Wallace “Buddy” Perry. For the next twenty years, she worked tirelessly during the day at various factory jobs, and at night as a waitress at various restaurants. While working at the Scenic restaurant in Winchester, she was given the opportunity to buy the restaurant. For the next 35 years, she proudly owned and operated the successful meat and three style restaurant. Jerelene was there every morning at 4:30 A.M. to open and stayed until they closed at 8:00 P.M. During that time “The Scenic” became the popular morning meeting place for many Arnold Air Force Base employees, business people, lawyers. She was a proud Democrat, and held numerous political gatherings at her restaurant.
With the assistance of Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, a celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Delaying the celebration of her life is due to family’s concern of exposing her friends and family to Covid-19. For those that may want to honor her memory, the family request that donations be made to the 12th Judicial District Drug Court Foundation, P.O Box 648, Winchester, Tennessee, 37398.
*Note to the reader, The above photo was taken on Mrs. Perry’s 90th birthday.
Moore-Cortner Funeral Home, 300 1st Ave. NW, Winchester, TN 37398, 931-967-2222
