Katherine Elizabeth (Beth) Perry Lunsford, 62, of Dalton, GA, passed away Wednesday October 10, 2012.
She was preceded in death by her father Edwin Perry and brother Don Perry.
She was born Sept. 10, 1950 in Macon, GA, the daughter of Edwin F. Perry Jr. and Julianne McDaniel Perry. She grew up in the Kelly community of Jasper County Georgia and was a member of Calvary United Methodist Church of Shady Dale, Georgia. Beth was a 1968 graduate of Monticello High School. She graduated from Ga Southwestern w/ B.S. in elementary education, a masters in early childhood education, and a specialist degree in media education from West Ga College. She was a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and also a member of Alpha Delta Kappa teacher sorority. Beth was a member of Dalton First Methodist Church, the Abundant Life Sunday school class, and Thursday morning Bible study.She taught 35 years, 29 of those in a school library setting. She was a member of the faculty at Southland Academy in Americus, Ga for 11 years, 24 years in Dalton Public Schools at City Park and Westwood. She was honored to be selected as teacher of the year in 1994 for City Park. She was also named Foundation Teacher by Dalton Education Foundation in 2002 and was a member of the Cox Leadership Class. She was named as the Dalton Daily News Citizen of the Week in 2005 for Encouraging the Love of Reading . Beth was Teacher of the Year in 2006 for Westwood and was named Dalton Public School's Teacher of the Year for 2006-2007. A diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma ended her teaching career in 2008.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, James D. Lunsford, Jr.; daughter, Lisa Lunsford Williams (Randy) of Clermont, GA and son Daniel Lunsford of Dalton; three grandsons, Ran, Miles, and Daley Williams of Clermont, GA; sisters, Jan Perry Bolubasz (Bob) of Cincinnati, OH and Julie Perry Patterson (Allen) of Beaufort, SC;brother, Steve Perry (Sheila) of Eatonton, GA; her mother, Julianne McDaniel Perry of Dalton; sister-in-law, Margaret Lunsford Martin (Jim Curts) of Colleyville, TX; and several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews .
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 13 at 2 p.m. from the Dalton First Untied Methodist Church with Dr. Robin Lindsey officiating. Inurnment will be in the church columbarium.
The family will receive friends Friday, October 12 at Love Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Dalton First United Methodist Church mission fund, 500 S. Thornton Avenue, Dalton, GA 30720 or the Christian Bryant Foundation, c/o Northwest Georgia Community Foundation, P.O. Box 942, Dalton, GA 30722.
Love Funeral Home , 1402 N. Thornton Ave., Dalton (across from Hamilton Medical Center) is in charge of arrangements.