Inez Neal Keen Perdue, 87

Inez Neal Keen Perdue was born in Macon County on Saturday, September 20, 1924, the only child born to the late James W. and Rachel Willis Keen. She departed this life on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 at the age of 87 years, 11 months and 1 day. Funeral services for Inez Perdue were conducted from the Rocky Mound Missionary Baptist Church at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 24th with Elder Jeff Likens and Elder Don Watts officiating. Pallbearers were Steve Herbert, Charles Wilkerson, Elder Bobby Hale, Myron Perdue, Jerry Yates and Johnny Smith. Interment followed in the Rocky Mound Cemetery. Inez was only 8 years old when her mother passed away. Even though Rachel had to leave her young daughter at an early age, she greatly influenced Inez’s life as long as she lived. After the death of her mother, Inez and her dad lived with her grandparents. Many loving aunts and uncles assisted in the upbringing of this young lady. They supplied much of her material needs and lots of love. At the age of 17, Inez married Ordis W. “Tom” Perdue on September 27, 1941 in Franklin, KY. To this union was born one daughter, Virginia, in 1943. Inez was saved by the grace of God at the age of 19 during revival at Rocky Mound in August of 1944. However, she did not tell anyone until 1949 during which time she and Tom were working in the tobacco patch together. They began talking about God’s goodness; she got to rejoicing, and told of being saved back in 1944. She later joined Rocky Mound Church in 1954. She was baptized on July 25, 1954 along with several others, including her husband, Tom, and their daughter, Virginia. Inez was most definitely acquainted with hard work. She was a homemaker, helped Tom with the farming, and worked in a sewing factory for many years. In later years, they cared for the cemetery at Rocky Mound, which was a labor of love for both of them. After losing Tom in 2007, Inez lived alone. She spent many lonely hours without complaint. Inez was not perfect because none are, but she set a wonderful example for her family and friends. To say that she was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother is certainly an understatement. She truly loved her church and attended as long as her health permitted. She leaves to mourn her passing, a daughter and son-in-law, Virginia and Kenneth Meador of Lafayette; granddaughter and her husband, Tammye and Tim Hewitt of Lafayette; grandson and his wife, Chad and Jenna Meador of Murfreesboro; great-granddaughter and her husband, Jessica and Casey Cole of the Rocky Mound Community; a sister-in-law, Dorothy Bullington of Lafayette; and a step-sister, Loretta Pedigo of the Rocky Mound Community. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.