?WILMA MAGNOLIA CLEMINTINE POWERS PERRY

Wilma Perry, 106, formerly of Joplin & Reno, died July 6, 2025, in Las Vegas. Born to James William & Cora Magnolia Pettay Powers on April 28, 1919, (Tipton Ford, MO), she had 4 brothers & 1 sister. Graduate Augusta Kansas High (1936), El Dorado Junior College (1938), Pittsburg State Teachers College (PSU, BS 1943), graduate work at KU & KSCollege. She & Earl married New Year's 1943 (Pittsburg Methodist Church). They had 4 children: David, Anne, Jeanne, & Jon. Wilma taught elementary & high school in Kansas & Missouri, serving alongside Rev. Earl Perry (Methodist minister): Butler County, Arcadia, Gypsum, Altamont, Sedan, Bonner Springs, Kansas City, Topeka, Neodesha; & Warrenton, MO. They served 3 years as missionaries in Mexico City (Union Theological Seminary); 10 years co-directed workcamps to rural Mexico. Wilma was a dedicated Christian in service to others & active United Methodist Church member: WCTU, United Methodist Women, Sunflower Emmaus Walk, UMH Board, Sunday School teacher, conducted children's services, led home Bible studies, District Officer/Youth Work, President Bonner Springs UMW. Co-authored Puppets Go To Church & lyrics for Sing 'N Do. Thespian, ages 7-90, she & Earl appeared on local theater & church stages (Stained Glass Theater, Joplin). She was a scholar & traveler, exploring cultures & countries on 4 continents. Upon retirement the couple moved to Joplin, Missouri, volunteering 3 decades at Joplin's Freeman Hospital. Wilma was preceded in death by husband, Earl Austin; daughter Coranell Anne; son Jonathan Earl; Grandson Thomas Frank Jones V; Powers siblings Hervey, Cecil, Roy, Chester & Nell Lytton. She is survived by son David (Jean); daughter Jean Perry-Jones; grandchildren Michael Perry (Rebecca) & Carin Perry Leffler (Kevin), DawnMarie Bernhard (Eric Larsen); great-grandchildren William & Charlie Leffler; Alexis, Catherine & Theodore Perry; Ruby Larsen. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM August 8th, 2025, at the Brenner Mortuary. Burial will follow at the Mt. Olive Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Brenner Mortuary 114 E. 4th Street. Pittsburg, KS 66762.