She was born May 20, 1932 and on that date our lives were forever changed. Daughter to Claude and Jesse Whitten, sister to Claudia, Frances, Gloria, and Larry, Betty Jean had many honored titles in her lifetime. But her favorites were wife to Thomas Perry for 67 blessed years, mother to Tom Perry (Donna) and Cathy Balkcom (Robert), and Nana to Meghan Perry, Melody Cook (Josh) and Marissa Balkcom. With her family, Betty made her home in many towns in many states but home to her was always Gluck Mill in Anderson where she was born and raised. Never content to sit on the sidelines, she propelled herself into the stuff of life - playing high school basketball, mastering the game of golf and bridge, leading church and community choirs, teaching kindergarten and Sunday School classes, and keeping the books pristine at the Upstate Credit Union. If there ever was a need, she did her best to fill it. She always gave of herself and never kept a score card. Her talents were many - cooking (just ask about her famous Graham Cracker cake), quilting to needlepoint (heirlooms for her family), singing (just ask her church choir members), and well, just too many to list here. But, Betty's greatest talent and divine gift was making people feel valued, important, cared for, and most of all loved. Her life wasn't a fairytale - she suffered the loss parents and two of her siblings, the loss of her beloved son to cancer, and her dear and precious husband still battles with dementia - but, she always strived to give each of her loved ones their happy endings. Her love for her God and family stands as a living and tangible example to all of us. On January 27, 2019, our lives were once again forever changed when she left this earthly realm to take her place in God's kingdom. We wait for God's healing and peace but for now our hearts are heavy with the loss of this unique and precious lady. Her family and friends will always miss her, will always love her, and will always keep her close in our hearts. A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00pm, Saturday, February 2, 2019 at The McDougald Funeral Home followed by graveside services at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with the Rev. Tom Owen officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:30am until 12:30pm Saturday before the service. In lieu of flowers and in honor and memory of Betty Perry, donations may be made to: Newberry Academy, 2055 Smith Road, Newberry, SC 29108 with designation of Tom Perry Scholarship Fund or to: Forest Hill Baptist Church, 909 Plantation Road, Anderson, SC 29621. Events Visitation Saturday, February 2, 2019 10:30AM - 12:30PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Funeral Service Saturday, February 2, 2019 1:00PM The McDougald Funeral Home 2211 North Main Street Anderson, SC 29621 Email: Gail@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com,laurel@mcdougaldfuneralhome.com Phone: (864) 224-4343 Final Resting Place Forest Lawn Memorial Park 2609 U. S. Highway 29 North Anderson , SC 29621