Elvira Whitten Perry was born in McRae/Helena, Georgia on November 7, 1947, to Christine Coates Whitten and the late Tom Cummings.

She received her formal education in the public schools of McRae, Georgia, including Central High School and graduated in 1967 from Sarasota High School, Sarasota, Florida.

Early in life, Elvira accepted Christ as her personal Lord and Savior.  She united with the Macedonia Baptist Church in Helena, Georgia where she sang in the choir and served faithfully as an usher.  After moving to Albany, she activated the principles of the church covenant and united with the Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church.  Elvira's commitment to her Christian faith was the foundation of who she was.

Elvira's professional career was marked by a number of employment ventures that were diverse and rewarding.  She was a persistent,  hardworking individual who was very passionate about her work and caring for the needs of her family.  For numerous years, she was employed as a Filar Doffer, a job normally performed by men, at the Cotton Mill and sewing factory in Eastman Georgia.  She was later employed by Roydon Wears, Inc. in McRae, Georgia.  After relocating to Albany, she worked in various capacities at Turner Job Corps for 21 years, and as a Dispatcher at Albany State University.  Over the years, Elvira experienced a wide variety of jobs and career paths. However, her passion and love for children led her to become the owner and operator of  a day care center which proved to be the most rewarding job of all.

On December 1, 1990, Elvira was united in holy matrimony to Timothy Perry.  With this union, three sons were formally adopted—Matthew, Joshua, and Emmanuel.  She was a devoted wife and mother who believed deeply in unconditional love and strong family ties.  She had an endless reservoir of compassion for family and friends.  Anyone who knew her was very familiar with that gigantic smile that so often lit her face.  She loved life, she loved the Lord, and she loved her church and community.

The journey of life for Elvira ended on Friday, July 14, 2017, when she answered the Master's call to eternal rest.  In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her son, Joshua Perry; four siblings, Clifford Earl Lang, Ruth Lister, Claudine Cummings, and Ida McCrimmon; and a niece, Virginia Johnson.

Precious and fond memories will forever be cherished by her husband, Timothy Perry; mother, Christine Whitten of Albany, GA; children, Anthony Whitten of Watkinsville, GA, Christine Huffman Fowler, Matthew Perry and Emmanuel Perry all of Albany, GA; two stepchildren, Timothy Perry, Jr. of Augusta, GA and Renata Perry of Jacksonville, NC; seven siblings, David Whitten of Eastman, GA, George (Lallie) Lang of Watkinsville, GA, Frank (Le) Lang of Moultrie, GA, Mark (Lovie) Whitten of Stockbridge, GA, Alice McGill and June (Barry) Williams of Albany, GA, and Evelyn (Thomas) Claude of Carrollton, TX; mother-in-law, Gladys Perry of Bradenton, FL; goddaughter, Chasity Short of Columbus, GA; a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, cousins, and friends; and the caring staff of Pruitt Nursing Home.