It is with great pride that we acknowledge the life well lived by Carol Anne Perry, and with profound sadness that we acknowledge her passing on July 15, 2025.
Carol was born on December 28,1945 in Neptune, New Jersey to Ruth Alice and Adrian Lincoln Parker. Sadly, Adrian was killed in an automobile accident two years later. Ruth re-married 5 years after that and brought the most wonderful stepfather, Charles Arthur Woodward, into their lives. “Woody” adopted and raised both Carol and her younger sister Bette and ultimately relocated the family to Orange, Texas in 1954. Carol was a proud graduate of Stark High School in 1964 and Mimm’s School of Cosmetology in Port Arthur, Texas. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Chuck (Woody) Woodward as well as her husband of 58 years, Phillip Perry.
Carol is survived by her daughter Shea Brown and her children Brogan and Bridget, her son Mike Perry and his children Hilary and Colin, and her son Matt Perry and his daughter Harley, as well as seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her devoted sister Bette and brother-in-law Mike and their two daughters Amy McCracken (and her family) and Krissy Turner.
Carol was truly “one of a kind.” She was thoughtful, caring, loyal, trustworthy, and irreverent with a dry wit that could bring you to your knees with laughter. She was resilient and unique. She chose to keep her strong faith very private. She chose to see the glass as half full, and she had the knack for somehow finding light in even the darkest of situations. She was extremely talented and creative, whether it be making any type of costumes (her favorite), draperies, slipcovers, prom dresses or props for dance competitions…if you needed anything requiring a creative eye, she was your go-to girl!
Carol was born to be a hair stylist, cutting and styling her doll’s hair at the early age of 7. She was also an astute businesswoman, owning her own beauty shop in Orange for many years and progressing to becoming a valued team member at Maximum Effects Salon for 17 years. She liked to quip that it was her job to keep Orange beautiful, one head at a time, but also that she was a beautician, not a magician, and had the sign to prove it.
Carol was very well read and very curious about anything and everything! She was proud of both her Texas roots and her New Jersey roots. She enjoyed seeking out the many mysteries of genealogy and she diligently traced her family’s history all the way back to her ancestors crossing the Atlantic Ocean with William Penn in 1682! She loved to travel and explore. She loved to garden. She loved ALL animals, rescuing many dogs and cats in her lifetime. She loved birds and even had a pet chicken (Henrietta) for over ten years! Carol had an undeniable “joie d’vivre” that was both refreshing and contagious. You could always count on Carol in any situation! To the very last days of her life, Carol recognized her many blessings. Although clouded by the tentacles of dementia, she still had enough clarity at times to recognize the wonderful gift of the amazing and all encompassing care bestowed upon her by her daughter Shea and her granddaughter Bridget, as well as a wonderful Hospice team, Beth Fells and Shawn Gant. Because of this ultimate gift of unwavering devotion, Carol was able to pass away quietly at home, surrounded by her loving family.
Celebration of life/Memorial will be Monday, September 15th, 2025 from 6:0-8:00 pm at Maximum Effects Salon, 2276 MacArthur Drive Orange, Texas 77630
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