Bette H. Perry

Mary Elizabeth Perry (Bette), 98, of Easley, South Carolina, wife of the late William Jackson Perry (Bill), peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on March 20, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

Born in Easley, South Carolina, on July 27, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Julian Martin Hiott and Victoria Moorhead Hiott.

Bette was a graduate of Easley High School (43). She attended Berea College (43-44) where she met her future husband. Fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming a nurse, she attended Charlotte Memorial Hospital Nursing School (44-47). Bette was part of the Cadet Nursing Program offered during World War II.

Bette and Bill married on September 13, 1947, at Easley First Baptist Church. The newlyweds moved to Atlanta, where Bill attended Emory Law School, and Bette worked as a nurse at Emory University Hospital maternity ward. After law school, Bill continued his career as a judge advocate in the Navy. During their Navy years, they were blessed with five daughters. Together, the family moved 11 times during his 29 years of service. Bette used to say that she planned to write a book and call it “A Girl in Every Port.” Bette continued using her nursing skills working in hospitals in Kodiak, Alaska, and Rockmart, Georgia, as well as being a hospital Red Cross volunteer. In their retirement years, she and Bill loved volunteering with Meals on Wheels, United Christian Ministries, Gideon Auxiliary, Easley Baptist Hospital, and WellCare at the First Baptist Church of Easley.

Bette’s desire and passion to serve the Lord began when she was nine and accepted Christ as her Savior at Rabun Creek Baptist Church. This passion continued throughout her life and was evidenced in the ministries in which she served. Some of those were Women’s Missionary Union, ladies’ Bible studies, teaching Sunday School, children’s ministries, singing in the church choir and Christian Women’s Club.

Bette enjoyed many hobbies, including Nosegay Garden Club, the Daughters of the American Revolution, traveling the world and listening to all kinds of music. Her favorite times were spent having fun with her family in many different settings – shelling at Ft. Myers, camping and picnicking in the North Carolina mountains, playing games with the oldest to the youngest and singing with her family. She and Bill climbed Mt. Fuji in their thirties, and Bette hiked to the top of Sassafras Mountain, with three generations of her loved ones on her ninety-third birthday. She lived her life to the fullest, and maintained a sense of humor and a gracious spirit.

Bette is survived by her five daughters: Viki Perry, Janie Hodges, Susan Whitlock (Bill), Martha Estes, Julie Landers (Dan). She is also survived by her eleven grandchildren: Luke Cavano (Kelly), Caleb Perry, Matthew Hodges (Shannon), Aaron Hodges, Josh Whitlock (Brittany), Beth Whitlock Brown (Chris), Kate Whitlock Loukos (Chris), Ginger Estes Holley, Evan Estes, Ben Landers (Lauren) and Reese Landers (Jen). Bette has sixteen great grandchildren: Carsyn Hodges, Caden Hodges, Annie Reese Whitlock, William Jackson Whitlock, Ellie Whitlock, Joah Brown, Adelaide Brown, Asher Loukos, Jennings Loukos, Ellory Landers, Cash Landers, Rep Landers, Crew Landers, Zane Landers and Knox Landers. She is also survived by her sister, Adelaide Hiott Cape (Jim) and her sister-in-law, Betty Hiott Bobo.

Bette is predeceased by a son, William Jackson Perry, Jr., her brother, Julian Martin Hiott, Jr., and her son-in-law, Keith Hodges.

Bette often quoted one of her favorite verses, “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21). Her daughters are grateful for her godly example, showing them how to live for Him. They rejoice in the sure hope that she has gained her eternal reward.

Friends and family will celebrate Bette’s life on July 26, 2025, at Easley First Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM, with the service to follow at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Emmaus Road Partners, PO Box 11578, Columbia, SC 29211. Emmaus Road Partners exists to help Christian ministries thrive!

Visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory – Powdersville Road, Easley.