MARK ARNOLD PERRY

Mark A. Perry was born to Roscoe A. and Oneatha B. Perry on April 25, 1957, in Montgomery, Maryland. He was the eldest of seven children born to this union. Two brothers proceeded him in death at birth. With his father being in the Navy he was raised in various locations but received his formal education in San Diego at Memorial Jr High and Point Loma High school. 

Mark would always talk about the place where our father was stationed which was Guam. He talked about the ocean behind our house, swimming with turtles, the little stream of water that ran next to our house that had crabs and crawdads in it. There was a jungle that was next to our house that our mom was so scared for us to go into because she said every time we went into the jungle it looked like it closed in behind us. He talked about the geckos that would be on the walls in the house. He said he really enjoyed Guam. 

After returning to the mainland, his family joined Calvary Baptist Church, but would later move their membership to the Greater Israelite Church of God in Christ under the leadership of the late Pastor Harvey W. Jessie in 1970. Mark gave his life to the Lord at a very young age and would later, leave the church. If you have ever talked to Mark for any length of time, he would share his testimony with you. How he ended up using drugs for several years then one morning after years of abuse, he heard the voice of the Lord say, go to church, and the rest was history. Mark gave his life to the Lord and has been running for Jesus ever since. 

Mark moved out of the family home at the age of 18 and started his adventure. He was employed at GemCo, National Steel and Ship Building Co., and Mercy Hospital. He would find his niche when he worked at County Mental Health, assisting mentally ill patients with their daily task. Mark found his job at County Mental Health rewarding. His last place of employment was for the MTS transit system as a bus driver, and Lord the stories he would tell. While working as a bus driver, Mark would witness and invite passengers to church. He would tell his story of how God delivered him and set him free. 

Mark met Angelia Newkirk in 1981, who had a beautiful little daughter Rashanda who he raised as his daughter. Mark loved his daughter with all his heart and soul. He was committed to being there for his daughter and grandchildren every step of the way. Mark doted and was proud of his grandchildren. 

In 2001 Mark met and married Lori Michelle Duke, no children were born of this union. Lori preceded him in death. 

Mark was always there to help whether it was for his daughter, siblings, church, or friends. Always there helping, serving, and making a difference in people's lives. Mark loved his church and served in the capacity of President of the Deacon Board. He would make sure things were in order from opening to closing. He enjoyed spending time with his Pastor who just happened to be his baby brother Pastor Benjamin Perry. Mark would drive the Pastor to varies events and speaking engagements. Mark would also drive the saints in the church van. Mark was without a doubt Pastor Perry's right-hand man. Oh, how he loved the saints and especially the mothers. After Mark came back to the church, he asked Mother Mary Gotell to be his mother and he looked out for her like a son. 

On March 26, 2024, at 6:45 pm, Mark slipped away quietly, with his family by his side, and went home to be with the Lord. He leaves to celebrate his life, his daughter Rashanda (James) Wear of Murrieta Ca, sister Leslie Perry, brother Benjamin (Jody) Perry of San Diego, Ca., Uncle Hardy Perry of Washington, D.C., Aunt Viola Jackson of Los Angeles, CA. Grandchildren: Aa'Zha, Ari'Ana, A'Zaria, A'Lexis Wear. 

Nieces: Nett'ea Boyd and Amaya Perry. Nephews: Anthony Perry, Jr, Bo Jr., Micah, and Joshua Perry, great nieces and nephew: Amari Perry, Micheal Boyd Jr. and Alexis Boyd and a host of cousins, relatives and friends who will miss his presence.

"Real men are just like diamonds; bright, beautiful, valuable, and always in style.”

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