Perry O. Boler's Obituary
Perry was born on January 14, 1947, to the late James McDonald and the late Bertha L. Stokes McDonald in Carthage, MS. Perry accepted Christ to be her guide at an early age stole growing up in Pilgrim Rest Missionary Church in Carthage, MS. Her love for Christ was strengthened even more when she became a member of New Hope Baptist Church in 1980 in Jackson, MS. Her motto was, "Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you."
Perry acquired a wealth of knowledge throughout her life. She received her diploma from the former, O.E. Jordan High School in Carthage, MS. Her love for reading biographical books, magazines and newspapers continued to flourish while earning a bachelor's degree in 1968 at Jackson State University (formerly Jackson State College). Perry earned a Master of Science in Library Science from Atlanta University in Atlanta, GA. Accolades during her college years included, 2nd Alternate to Miss Jackson State College 1967-1968, and a Ford Foundation Fellow at Atlanta University.
As a committed and determined educator, Perry was employed with Jackson Public Schools for 32 years as a librarian. She retired in June 2004. Other professional employment endeavors included Mississippi Research and Development Center (1975 - 1977); Coleman Library at Tougaloo College (1972 - 1975); Head Librarian at Utica Junior College (1971 - 1972), and an elementary school teacher from (1968 - 1970). Her professional and civic affiliations included the Mississippi Library Association, Retired Teachers Association, and the NAACP.
Perry's educational journey shaped her values of purpose, pride, and perseverance, and laid the foundation for a life dedicated to sisterhood, scholarship, service, and social action. Perry O. Boler was a proud and dutiful member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She was initiated into the Delta Pi Chapter Fall 1965, at Jackson State College. She passionately upheld the sorority's mission of public service and commitment to the sisterhood, as a former member of the Jackson (MS) Alumnae Chapter, and as a charter member of Clinton (MS) Alumnae Chapter. In her honor, her beloved sorority sisters held an Omega Omega service, the sorority's final rite of passage on October 24, 2025. She now joins the Omega Omega, eternally bonded with her departed sisters. Perry's commitment and "Delta Spirit" will be Chapter deeply missed by her sorors.
Over the years, Perry was abundantly blessed to be a devoted wife, proud mother, loving grandmother, big sister, caring aunt, and a faithful friend. Her passion was attending Jackson State University (JSU) football games, watching college and NFL games on television, traveling, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends. She loved her family immensely! Perry was a magnetic force and people gravitated towards her because she was loving, caring, and attentive.
Perry is preceded in death by her husband: the late Charles B. Boler Ill; daughter: the late Chanelle Cole McBeath; and brother: the late Stanley Eugene McDonald. She is survived by son: Charles Christopher Boler of Clinton, MS; son-in law: Jerry McBeath Jr. of Forest, MS: grandchildren: Deja C. Boler, Jonathan, Jeremy and Justin McBeath: sib-lings: Hazel N. McDonald of Madison, MS and James L. McDonald of Ridgeland, MS: sister-in-law, Dorothy Jean Boler of Atlanta, GA: nieces: Sherry Rainey (Anthony) of Madison, MS; Christy McDonald of Ridgeland, MS; Robyn Steele (Joe) of Helena, AL;
Danielle Barrow of Frisco, TX; nephew lan Barrow of Tallahassee, FL; a host of loving aunts, uncles, cousins, sorority sisters; and many loyal friends whom she loved dearly!
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