It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Elizabeth “Betsy” Crenshaw Barton Perry, 90, of Memphis, Tennessee on December 29, 2025.
Born February 15, 1935, in Memphis to Richard Bethel Barton and Elizabeth Craig Crenshaw. She attended Snowden School and East High School in Memphis before going on to graduate from Memphis School of Commerce. The proudest day of her life was February 23, 1962, when she was wed to Jack Day Perry, Sr. of Tunica, Mississippi, whom she spent the next 63 years lovingly referring to as her “Sweetheart”.
Growing up during the Second World War and inspired by her own mother’s independence and civic charity leadership, she was determined to pave her own way. During a time when women’s rights were limited and it was nearly unprecedented, she ingeniously devised a plan to establish her own financial standing.
She spent her entire life as the most diligent “Employee” to not ever be on an official payroll, working tirelessly for her family, home, church and community. Serving on the Board for Methodist Senior Services and the Episcopal Vestry for many years, she also frequently volunteered her time to the Tunica Nursing Home, Camellia Hospice and the Tunica Museum. She was an avid philanthropist for causes such as The USO, Wounded Warriors, Memphis Union Mission, The Red Cross and countless other ministries around the world.
Betsy lived her life with intention and a grateful heart. Always the liveliest person in any room, her enthusiasm was contagious. She was boisterous and engaging. In high school, Betsy could hardly wait to participate in cheerleader tryouts but was disappointed that she did not make the team because she “was not loud enough” …anyone that knew her would find that unbelievable, for several reasons. She did, finally, actualize her dream of being a cheerleader in her eighties for Wesley Meadows Retirement Community.
She was humble, organized, responsible and honest. Her ever-present moral compass meant she was relentlessly insistent on doing the “right” thing and doing it well.
Betsy was a faithful servant of the Lord and strived daily to honor Him and lead others to Christianity. An enthusiastic patriot, devoted wife, loving mother, thoughtful friend; she never met a stranger and never settled for a handshake rather than a hug. She loved and invested in people so genuinely and, in turn, was loved by so many.
She was passionate about literature and reading, art, music, culture, travel, and entertaining. Even as the personification of dignity and grace, she was also quick-witted, loved a cold beer or a jumbo margarita, the occasional indelicate joke, nearly any new adventure, a good party and a head-throwing laugh.
She is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 53 years, Jack Day Perry, Sr. And both of her parents, Richard Bethel Barton and Elizabeth Craig Crenshaw.
She is survived by her three children Eleanor Perry, Jack Day Perry, Jr. (Pam), and Vicki Mauney (Marc), four grandchildren Cody Harrell (Blair), Elizabeth Rogers (James), Stephen Perry, and Clara Fee, as well as six great grandchildren, her sister Mary Craig Cowles, niece Glennys Bryant (Tiger) and nephew Bernard Cowles.
Funeral Arrangements will be handled by Memorial Funeral Home, Tunica, MS.
Saturday, January 3rd at 11am
Graveside Service:
Oakwood Cemetery
1115 McClain Rd, Tunica, MS 38676
Celebration of Life following service:
Tunica Methodist Church
1043 School Street
Tunica MS 38676
In Lieu of flowers, Betsy and her family request donations be made to:
Semper Fi & Americas Fund
825 College Blvd
Suite 102, PMB 609
Oceanside, CA 92057
Or
Tunica Methodist Church
1043 School Street
Tunica MS 38676
