Sharon Perry

Sharon Cochran Perry, 62, passed away Saturday, November 2 at her home. Graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. at Oakwood Cemetery with Rev. Jimmy Johnson officiating. A memorial service will follow at First Presbyterian Church at 11:00 a.m. Visitation with the family will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Perry’s home. Sharon was born and raised in Waco, Texas. She graduated from Waco High School in 1957 and from Texas Tech University in 1960, where she was a member of Delta Gamma Sorority. She married C. Ray Perry on July 27, 1959, and had one daughter, Kathryn. Sharon worked as a teacher and guidance counselor in the Lubbock Independent School District from 1960 to 1965 and as Director of Development for the Tejas Council of Camp Fire Boys and Girls from 1992 to 1999. Sharon was very active in the Waco community all her life. She served as President of the Junior League of Waco, Family Counseling and Children’s Services, Vanguard School Board, Central Texas Zoological and Botanical Society, Brazos Forum and the Central Texas Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. She served as General Chairman of the Waco Cotton Palace Pageant, Christmas on the Brazos, Brazos River Festival and the East Terrace House Board. Sharon also served on the Boards of the Waco Civic Theatre, The Art Center, Historic Waco Foundation, Waco Symphony Council, Brazos Valley Public Broadcasting Foundation and Friends of Baylor Fine Arts. In addition to her community involvement, Sharon was also active in her church, serving as an Elder and Sunday School teacher at First Presbyterian Church, Waco, Texas. Sharon received many awards for her work, including the Excellence in Voluntarism Award from the Junior League of Waco in 1988-89, Volunteer Award from Tejas Council of Camp Fire Boys and Girls in 1992, Pathfinder in Voluntarism from YWCA in 1993, Athena Award in 1999 and Women of Distinction from Girl Scout Bluebonnet Council in 2001. Sharon is survived by her husband Ray, daughter Kathryn and future son-in-law Larry Shirey. She is preceded in death by her parents and infant son, Claude Raymond Perry III. Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church, Tejas Council of Camp Fire or the Central Texas Zoological and Botanical Society.