On FEBRUARY 15, 2024 the lovable, blessed, friendly and hardworking Doris Costella Armstrong Perry-Harris, also known as Mother, Grandmother, Ma”D” and Dimples, departed her earthly life after a long battle with Alzheimer’s at the wonderful age of 95 years old. Doris was born November 15, 1928, in Perquimans County Hertford, North Carolina to the late “William Armstrong and Rosia Hurdle Armstrong. In this union they had seven children, Lillian B. Watkins (decease) Clottie M. Barcliff (Petersburg, Virginia), Mildred V. James (decease), Gertude O. Green (decease), Rosa L. Spellman (South Plainfield) and Lorenzo W. Armstrong (Virginia Beach, VA). Doris’s education began at “Fork Bridge Public School located in Chapanoke, North Carolina and Perquimans Training School also, known as Windfall Public School in Windfall, North Carolina. After completing her education in North Carolina, later Doris got married to Paul Perry of Elizabeth City, North Carolina. However, they both decided to move to Plainfield, New Jersey to start a new life together. During this time of relocating and getting settled Doris wanted to further her education. Her next ambition was to enroll in “Essie Mae’s School of Beauty Culture in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Upon completion Doris received her “Diploma and Manager” licenses from “The Board of Cosmetology and Hairstyling on June 15, 1952. Both Paul and Doris decided to start a family in this union they had two children Doris Silvana Perry and Paul William Perry Jr. Doris was employed at “Lemon Tree Hair Salon” in Fanwood, New Jersey for many years. Besides that she had the opportunity to show students at Maxson School in Plainfield NJ how to make home cookies and tell them about cosmetology. In addition, she was working for the “Plainfield Board of Education” until she retired. Doris was a member of “The Calvary Baptist Church of Plainfield, New Jersey for over seventy-five years or more. As well as being a very active and dedicated member during the leadership of the “Late Rev Dr Charles P. Harris and Rev Dr William Gerald Howard. Doris got involved in numerous ministries of the church. To begin with: the Ladies Chorus, Sanctuary and Mass Choirs, Kitchen Ministry, Chairlady of Deaconess Ministry, Chairlady of Women’s Day on several occasions. In addition, being a Sunday School Teacher, Building Committee, Played Mary the mother of Jesus, participated in the Liturgical Dance Ministry and a Den Mother for the Club Scouts of America. Deaconess Doris C Harris enjoyed knitting, sewing, laughing, cooking, dancing, singing in the choirs, and attending Wednesday night prayer meetings where she could always sing her favorite songs: “This Little of Mind I’m Going to let it Shine, Come by Here My Lord Come by Here, and Somebody Prayed for Me” Her family loved her homemade biscuits, sweet potato pies, sweet potato jacks and tomato pudding. They were slamming. Doris always had some cherished phrases that she would say: “I’m still kicking, we’re not here to stay, “we’re going to leave here with something” and along with her favorite color being red. Additionally she was known as the “hat lady” along with her sisters. Nevertheless, she would always say “Good night, Sweetie-Pie you’re a good daughter “I Love You”.
Doris was preceded in death by her husband’s Paul Perry Sr, Charles W Harris, and her son Paul W Perry Jr.
Doris is survived by her daughter Doris Silvana Perry also known as Sweetie-Pie, (Monroe Township NJ) Stepdaughter Adrienne Dortch (Dover NJ). Grandchildren, Rasheed Z. Perry and Rashaad H. Perry (Plainfield NJ) Adopted grandchildren Jarett Brown (Baltimore, Maryland) and Melissa Barnes (Plainfield NJ). Stepchildren: David Dortch Jr (Dover NJ), Michael Dortch (Laurel, Maryland), Nakia Dortch (Randolph NJ) and Kevin Dortch (Winter Park, Florida). Two sisters and one brother Rosa L. Spellman (South Plainfield, NJ) Clottie M. Barcliff (Petersburg, VA) and Lorenzo W. Armstrong (Virginia Beach, VA). Daughter-in-law Henrietta Perry (Plainfield NJ). Goddaughter, Lisa Anderson (Plainfield NJ). Two devoted friends Dr Lottie Alexander (Chesapeake, VA) and Silvia L Miller (Plainfield, NJ).
Also, surviving countless, nieces, nephews and friends.