Charlotte A. Perry

Charlotte Canada was born to the union of Ruby Lee and Clinton Canada. Two years later, she was blessed with a younger brother Herbert. The family extended yet again and she welcomed siblings Marvin, Charles and Elizabeth.

A proponent of education she completed her primary years in Detroit Public Schools. In the 60’s the family moved to nearby Highland Park where she graduated from Highland Park High School in 1972. It was this move granted her many lifelong friends and introduced her to her neighbor and high school sweetheart Glenn D Perry. The two married immediately after her high school graduation and spent many years together.

To this union three children were born in quick succession Eric (1972), Monica (1973) and Christina (1976). Determine to succeed and to help those around her, she continued her education and graduated with an Associate’s Degree from Highland Park Community High School in 1978 and a Bachelors in Social Work from Wayne State University in 1985. Charlotte worked at Ennis Center for Children ensuring safe homes for children in foster care.

Charlotte was a strong believer in Christ and instilled her faith in her children at her church home since childhood, Morning Missionary Baptist Church where she served in the choir, as church secretary, and as member of the Christian Education Ministry. She once joked that all her kids would a “young adult” at Morning View and she would still be too.

The simple things in life gave Charlotte joy: black and white movies (while eating white cheddar popcorn), bowling, skating, dancing, Motown music, good preaching, and a well-made “church hat”. However, her greatest joys came from seeing her grandchildren grow into young adults, and in recent years seeing her great grandchildren born. She enjoyed a “Dorothy and Sophia” type relationship with her mother with whom she lived until illness separated them.

Charlotte made her transition from labor into reward early Monday morning June 25th after a lengthy illness. She leaves cherish her life her mother Ruby Lee Hayden, siblings Herbert (Pam), Marvin (Jeanette), Charles, and Elizabeth. Her children Eric (Leah), Monica (Wendell), and Christina, and her grandchildren LaTanya, Stephanie, Christopher, Charlesha, Christian, Mario, Emmanuel, and Mykayla. She was preceded in death by her father Clinton and her elder brother Daryl.

A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends are included in those that will miss her.