Barbara Ann Perry

Barbara Ann (Wilson) Perry, affectionately known to her loved ones as “Tutsy,” was born on December 16, 1943 in Stokes, North Carolina to the late Van Wilson and Ruby Lee (Little) Wilson. She was the 6th of Van and Ruby’s nine children.

In 1945, at the age of two years old, Tutsy and the Wilson family moved to Brooklyn, New York during the Great Migration. Tutsy’s parents were devoted to church and she accepted Christ at an early age.

Tutsy attended PS 145 for elementary school and later attended W.H. Maxwell High School. After high school, Tutsy pursued secretarial work. She later worked as a phone operator for Bell Atlantic Phone Company and was on staff at Klink’s Cleaners. Tutsy also went to school for medical training and worked at Kings County Psychiatric Hospital.

Tutsy welcomed her ‘first born’ child, Tracey Wilson, on May 15, 1965. Eight years later her brother Marvin “Uncle Dee Dee” introduced Tutsy to the late Jackie Perry, whom she married in 1973. From this union, Tutsy gained a bonus daughter, Tanya Greene. She would later welcome her only son, Dr. Jack Perry and daughter Kendra Perry. Tutsy’s most beloved time was spent with her family and friends enjoying music and dancing (with a tambourine in hand), caring for her plants, watching true crime and court tv, cooking, taking pictures, and caring for children.

Tutsy loved her family and friends fiercely. Although very loving, she was “not about the nonsense” and did not tolerate disrespect from anyone. Those she loved knew she could be counted on to help in any way she could. She provided tender loving care to her mother Ruby Wilson in the twilight years of her life and doted on her grandchildren. She adored her nieces and nephews; affectionately known as Aunt Tut, opening her home to them throughout the years for short or long term visits. Her home was often “party central” and she was the life of the party at any event she hosted or attended.

She was preceded in light by parents Van Wilson and Ruby Wilson; husband Jackie Perry; siblings Delores “Sweet” Wilson, Van “Bud” Wilson, Geraldine “Gerry” Dunn, Leamon “Pete” Wilson, Marvin “Uncle Dee Dee” Wilson, Mattie Willoughby, and Peggy Wilson.

Her light and legacy will continue to be celebrated by her daughter, Tracey Wilson, daughter, Tanya Greene, son, Dr. Jack Perry (Tamara) and daughter Kendra Perry; five grandchildren: Tasano, Jackson, Maxwell, Kori, and Erin. Her surviving siblings are Leo Wilson “Uncle Buck”, and Patrica Turner. She is also survived by her aunt, Jessie Walker, god-daugher Crystal Mattocks, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews; countless extended family and a host of friends.