Mrs. Ethyl Mae Perry

In Loving Memory Of Ethyl Mae Perry: Ethyl Mae Perry (nee Ross) was born on February 16, 1924 to the late Rev. Robert W. Ross, Sr. and Teresa Elizabeth Ross (nee Calloway) in Ashland, Kentucky. She accepted Christ at an early age in the St. James A.M.E. Church of Ashland, Kentucky where she played piano and taught Sunday School. She received her elementary education in Ashland, Kentucky and graduated from Ironton High School in Ironton, Ohio where she was one of a few African Americans in a predominantly white school, becoming a quiet pioneer in desegregation. She entered into Hampton Institute (later to become Hampton University) studying home economics and nursing. While she was a student at Hampton she met Richard James Perry who would be her future husband. When WWII broke out, Richard joined the army and Ethyl traveled to California to work in an airplane factory (a real life Rosie the Riveter). Later she travelled to Pennsylvania to further her nursing education. She and Richard returned to Hampton to continue their studies and married on August 9, 1947. This union was blessed with four children, three sons and one daughter. Ethyl served many years as a licensed practical nurse working at Sinai (now Sinai-Grace) where she again broke color barriers and received several accolades, Highland Park General, and Wayne County General hospitals. She switched careers and became employed by the City of Detroit as an audiometric technician traveling to various schools testing hearing capabilities of students. Ethyl and Richard retired and moved to Florida where Ethyl enjoyed bowling and sewing. She became a model, modeling many of the outfits she sewed in local fashion shows. She and Richard also enjoyed travelling, going to many different venues. After 25 years in Florida, they returned to the Detroit area, residing in Southfield, MI where they remained until Richard’s death. Ethyl then moved to Sterling Heights where she spent her last days. Ethyl was an active member of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Detroit, Michigan until her retirement. She was a member of the Choir and the women’s organization. A deeply committed Christian, she insisted that her children become active in church. She was a member of the National Hampton Alumni Association, Detroit Chapter. Ethyl Mae Perry (nee Ross) departed this life on May 3, 2018.

Mrs. Ethyl Mae Perry

February 16, 1924 - May 3, 2018