Martha Hudson Perry, 78, Florence, died Saturday, June 24, 2017, in Pensacola Beach, Florida, after a brief illness.
Born Aug. 1, 1939, in Gadsden, Martha loved music, singing and performing. Through the years, she performed with groups such as UNA's Schola Cantorum and the Shoals Chamber Singers. She also appeared in several theatrical productions for the Zodiac Theatre, the Ritz Theatre and Gingerbread Players.
In 1971, she took first place in a competition held by the Muscle Shoals Music Celebration and received a recording contract. She recorded one single, "Mockingbird," produced by Terry Skinner, on her own Perry Label. The A-side received attention from the music industry, but ironically it was the B-side that got the most play. Many years later, following the 1977 death of Elvis Presley, the B-side song "Tribute to Elvis" received extensive airplay in the Southeast.
Along with her husband, she co-managed Dean Perry Photography, and its spin-off businesses, Tiny Tot Portraits and Broadway Frame and Gallery.
She is survived by her children, Brooke (Anna) Perry of Russellville; Clark (Jill Blotevogel) Perry of Los Angeles; and daughter, Deborah Lambert Friedman, of Pensacola Beach.
She is also survived by a sister, Margaret Newton of Muscle Shoals; grandchildren Dee Lambert of Pensacola; Ian and Olivia Perry, of Florence; Nicholas Miller, of Florence; Keaton Grace Perry of Los Angeles; Aria Marie Perry, of Russellville; and her great-grandchildren, Logan Thomas Moore, of Pensacola; and Todd Michael Miller, of Ann Arbor, Michigan.
She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years, Herald Dean Perry, last March; a daughter, Allyson Joanna Perry; her father, Arvil O. Hudson; her mother, Aline Kemp Sparks; and a stepfather, Marvin Sparks.
Burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 1, at Crestwood Funeral Home in Gadsden. The Rev. Laura Hutchinson of First Christian Church of Anniston will officiate.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be made to the International Fox G1 Foundation, 6505 Hillock Lane, Pearland, TX 77584; or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 75817, Topeka, KS 66675-8517.
Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 p.m. until the time of service.