Lillian Mae Franklin Perry, age 86, of Mt. Airy, Georgia, passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, at her home surrounded by loved ones following an extended illness.
Born on September 4, 1939, in Habersham County, Georgia, Lillian was the daughter of the late Lawrence C. Franklin and Flora Mae Murray Franklin. She was the second of their six children.
In 1957, Lillian married the love of her life, Floyd Earnest Perry. Together, they built a beautiful life and celebrated over 62 wondrous years of marriage. Lillian was an invaluable member of Earnest’s construction business: she managed the books for him from the business’s inception until he passed away in 2020. Lillian was also a gifted seamstress. If it could be sewn, she could make it – and did with love in every stitch. Her greatest joys could be found in the simple tasks of gardening and cooking. She was a master of both, always nurturing growth and feeding others. The highlight of Lillian’s life was her family. She was blessed with many years enjoying her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to whom she was affectionately known as “Mamaw”. Lillian’s loving and caring spirit will always be remembered and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Floyd Earnest Perry; son-in-law, Walter Richard Crowder; brothers, Arnold Franklin and J. L. Franklin; and sisters, Christine Broome and Carolyn Perry.
Survivors include her daughter, Kathy Perry Crowder of Cornelia; son, Ronnie Perry (Gay) of Clarkesville; grandsons, Joshua Perry (Leah) of Clarkesville; Alex Crowder of Cornelia; and Cody Crowder of Clarkesville. She is also survived by 4 great-grandchildren, Sawyer, Blakely, Sara Beth and Collins Perry; sister, Helen Clark of Toccoa; brother-in-law, Eugene “Doc” Perry of Mt. Airy and sisters-in-law, Genevieve Ward of Mt. Airy and Ovaline Abernathy (Sidney) of Calhoun; and several nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center and to caregivers, Teresa Hamilton, Claudia Cottingham, Wanda Pierce and Shirley Ledford, whose tireless efforts and loving care provided immeasurable comfort to “Miss Lillie” during her final days. Your kindness and dedication will never be forgotten.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home with Pastor Jonathan Barron and Joshua Perry officiating. Private interment will be held at Glade Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Michael Justus officiating.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 4, 2025 at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Glade Creek Baptist Church, 884 Toccoa Highway, Mt. Airy, Georgia 30563, or to the charity of one’s choice.
An online guest registry is available for the Perry family at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.
McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.
