Barbara "Bobbie" Ann Downs Perry's Obituary
Barbara Ann Downs Perry was born on September 30,1932 in DeRidder, LA. to her parents, Clyde Prentice and Elma Flanagan Downs. She passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023 in DeRidder, LA.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, March 16, 2023 from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. at the Labby Memorial Funeral Home in DeRidder. A memorial service will be held at 6:00 P.M. by the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion.
Born and raised in DeRidder, Barbara (known as Bobbie) was very involved in high school activities and was chosen Miss DeRidder 1949. The VFW Cole Miers Post 3619 sponsored her as she represented the city as a contestant in Crowley at the Rice Festival. Bobbie also volunteered at the VFW and the American Legion.
After high school, Bobbie met and married Marvin Perry at Fort Polk (Camp Polk at that time) in 1952. His jobs took them to Lake Charles, Fort Worth, Texas, Huntsville, Alabama, and eventually to Houston, Texas where Marvin worked for NASA. During their time in Texas, Bobbie earned her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees from the University of Houston and became a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, while raising their two sons. Bobbie then taught second and third grades for six years in Friendswood, TX.
After Marvin's retirement from NASA, Bobbie and Marvin returned to DeRidder where Bobbie took a job teaching fourth and fifth grade at Pinewood Elementary. While there, she earned thirty more hours above her Master's Degree through the Professional Improvement Program. While teaching school, Bobbie also bought the shop called Louisiana Awards. After teaching eleven years in DeRidder and Leesville, Bobbie retired to work full time at the trophy shop. In 1999 Bobbie retired and joined the VFW and the American Legion. She was given a lifetime membership by both organizations and volunteered until February of this year.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Clyde Prentice and Elma Downs; husband, Marvin Perry and siblings, Mickey Downs, Sonny Downs and Betty Baird.
Left to cherish her memory are her sons, Randall Perry & wife, Marty of Ft. Worth, TX and Scott Perry & wife, Ceteka of DeRidder, LA; siblings, James Downs of DeRidder, LA, Carol Montgomery of DeRidder, LA, Sue Downs of DeRidder, LA and Penny Faulk & husband, Larry of Denham Springs, LA; grandchildren, Crystal Perry of Sequin, TX and Phillip Perry of Sequin, TX; great-grandchildren, Andrew Morales, Gabriella Perry, Emily Perry, Raiden Perry and Nayeli Perry; great great-grandchild, Andrew Micah Morales and a host of nieces, nephew and friends.
Those serving as honorary pallbearers are Phillip Perry, Andrew Morales, Christopher Olmos, Brett Baird, Chuck Montgomery, Ricky Day, Austin Moore, Earl Bos, Larry Coons and Ken Gresham.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to VFW Post 3619 or the Garry Sinise Foundation.
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