Shelba Hawley Perry

Shelba Perry, 87, of Laurinburg, passed away Friday, May 15, 2026, at her home. Her children were with her, and she passed peacefully into the presence of the Lord.

She was born on March 4, 1939, in Durham, N.C., she was the only child of the late J.E. “Buddy” Hawley and Lois Mildred Turner Hawley. Shelba graduated high school in 1957 from Durham High School. She went to work with General Telephone in 1961 and retired from GTE in 1991 (30 years of service). Shelba was devoted to her parents. She retired to care for her sick father. When he passed, she went to work at BEST Products for a few years and left there to take care of her sick mother.

Shelba loved her children dearly and planned their vacations around revivals and tent meetings. She loved the Lord and shared her love and faith in Him through music (piano, singing) in the church. Shelba also played for the gospel singing group The Whites. She moved to Laurinburg from Durham about 20 years ago. She was a faithful member of the First Assembly of God in Durham and Living Water Church of God in Laurinburg.

She is survived by her children, daughter Janie P. Adams (Steve) of Laurinburg, N.C., her son Jeffrey Scott Perry (Angela) of Creedmoor, N.C. and her bonus-daughter Patricia Gunter (Glenn) of Georgetown, S.C. Also, her sister/cousin, Linda Vickers of Durham, N.C. Her cats John Boy and Sebastian. And her loving church family and friends.

A visitation service will be held Wednesday, May 20, 2026, from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at Living Water Church of God, Laurinburg. On Thursday, May 21, 2026, a visitation will be held 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM with funeral service at 2:00 PM. This will be held at Journey3:16 (formally Durham First Assembly of God, Hamlin Road, Durham) officiated by Rev. Dr. Steven E. Adams. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family wishes to thank the pallbearers: John Blomberg, Grey Holloman, Jim Turner.

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