Mildred Perry

Minister Mildred M. Perry was born on March 10, 1951, to Daisy E. Watson and John Frank Cole in Harvey, IL.  She was the 5th out of 8 kids. She lived in Harvey, Il before moving to East Chicago, IN where she graduated from George Washington High School in 1969.

Minster Perry received Christ at an early age and served him her entire life.  She faithfully served as an Associate Minister at New Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Merrillville, IN under the auspices of Pastor Reverend T. Brian Hill.  

She worked at American Steel Foundries for 15 years before retiring. She worked at New Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church daycare until her health began to fail her. She was a Senior Companion for Catholic Charities until the program closed. She was a member of Lily of the Valley Chapter #41, Order of the Eastern Star, Prince Hall Jurisdiction of Indiana.

Mildred loved to cook, travel, enjoyed sewing, watching tv game shows, and studying the word of God.  (Fun fact), she loved fried chicken wings and playing the lottery. She considered it a privilege to minister and preach God’s word. She was a prayer warrior for those near and far and would fast for clarity from God.  She took ministry seriously and affectionately introduced herself as “Minister Mildred Perry”.  Minister Perry went home to be with the Lord Jesus on April 14, 2023, at 7:33 AM.

Minster Perry was the proud mother of two children, daughter Lestra L. Cole and son Wessie Lee (Dena) Anderson Jr.  In ____ she married David Perry. 

Minister Mildred Perry was preceded in death by her mother Daisy E. Watson Cole, father John Frank Cole, brothers John Walter Cole, sister Shirley A. Shaw, and 3 life-long friends, Mary Nobles, Jewel Mogan, and Kelly Green.

She is survived by husband David Perry (Indianapolis, IN) daughter, Lestra Cole (Hammond, IN), son, Wessie (Dena) Anderson (Arlington, TX), two step-daughters, Sandra Perry (Tempe, AZ), Dalynne Perry (Gary, IN),  3 brothers Theodore Cole (Gary, IN), Benjamin (LaTonya) Miles (McCordsville, IN), Anthony Cole (East Chicago, IN), 1 sister Brenda Cole (Indianapolis, IN), 3 sisters-in-love, 1 brother-in-love, 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and host of nieces, nephews, cousins, 2 God-daughters Ebone’ (Maurice) Johnson (Annapolis. MD.), and Lavenia Pitts (Bloomington, MN) and, 2 life-long friends, Trudy (Floyd) McFarland and 1 (Cousin/Sister) Leora (Wilma) Lockett.

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