Vida Dauriece Perry, age 99, of Celina, Texas, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2020. A fourth generation Collin County resident, she was born in Celina on April 4, 1921, to Alta Tennesse (Helms) and Claude Melton. The 2nd of 7 girls, she grew up working hard on the family farm. Dauriece married Carl Perry on July 25, 1938, and they were blessed with two daughters. For 23 years they were co-owners, with Lee & Julia Rucker, of Perry & Rucker Grocery in Celina until Carl's death in 1970. Dauriece then worked as a tax clerk for Collin County for 16 years. She was a long time member of First Baptist Church Celina. She enjoyed traveling, playing cards and her home was always open and bubbling with activity with her family and friends. Dauriece will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
Dauriece is survived by her daughters, Claudia “Susie” Hart of Celina, and Carla Fisher and her husband, Ronnie, of McKinney; her grandchildren, Rebecca Southard (Darel) of Joshua, Laura Dixon of Austin, Ron Fisher (Phyllis) of Frisco, Kelly Kemp (Biji) of McKinney, and Bryan Fisher of Brackettville; her great-grandchildren, Peyton Williams, Stetson Southard, Jackson Fisher, Gracie Fisher, Kaitlin Kemp, Colin Kemp, Logan Fisher, and Bailee Fisher; her siblings, Maurine Miller of Celina, Punkin Kelly of Celina, Barbara George of Frisco and numerous nieces & nephews, many who considered her a second mom. She was affectionally known as Granny Dauriece to her nieces, nephews and friends of her grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her baby daughter; her husband, Carl Perry; her parents, Alta and Claude Melton; her sisters, Mary Jo McCarty, Nellie Hawn, and Thresa O’Dell; and her granddaughter, Brenda Rue.
A funeral service will be held at First Baptist Church Celina, 841 N. Preston Rd., Celina, Texas, on Saturday, June 27, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., with visitation one hour prior beginning at 9:00 a.m. Pastor Randy Morlan, First Baptist McKinney, will officiate. Interment to follow at Cottage Hill Cemetery. Memorials can be made to First Baptist Church Celina.
We kindly ask that all who attend the visitation and service to practice social distancing recommendations. Masks are required.