Ms. Tina Yvonne Perry

Tina Yvonne Perry was born on December 22, 1963 at 4:34 p.m. and departed this life March 12, 2016 at 7:00 a.m. She was the oldest daughter from the union of Ms. Alfreda Perry and the late Mr. Junius Perry, Sr. Tina grew fast and was very intelligent. We knew early that she was very special. Despite having paralysis on her left side, she loved to dance. She had so much rhythm. She loved music, especially the oldies, and could really sing. Her favorite songs, which she sang in the hospital, were Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out by Bobby Womack and Aint No Sunshine When You're Gone by Bill Withers. She also loved Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got to Do With It. Tina was a very loving daughter and protective sister. When she could, she attended the Greater Friendship Baptist Church in Brooklyn, where she was baptized by the late Dr. Pastor Frederick D. Waddell. Tina loved the Lord and never ever forgot her roots and upbringing. She would always tell people that "God was good". One Sunday, the late Pastor Waddell was preaching a sermon titled "It's Time to Go Now". Tina put on her coat and when asked where she was going she said "he said it is time to go". Tina began her education at P.S. 189 but was later transitioned to the very first center for the multi-handicapped children due to her developmental issues. There she participated in Special Olympics games and brought home many awards and medals. She left the center at age 19. Later she attended ACRMD Now, better known as the Michal Rappaport Lifespire program where Tina was respected and treated like she was not an “individual” but a staff volunteer. At Lifespire she was able to achieve her aspirations, she was a volunteer supervisor who loved to roll up her sleeves and help out when needed, but did not mind giving orders to the staff. Tina went to her day treatment program diligently. She made attempts to go to the program on days when she was drained of energy but her mother would convince her to stay home until she was well enough to go again. Every day she would ask "Can I go tomorrow?”. Tina began her bout with breast cancer in 2008. The doctors gave her six months to one year to live. Her mom would always say to her and everyone else "God got the first and the last word, not man. So you will stay here as long as God wants you to". After years of continued progress through the disease, her health care providers began repeating her mother's favorite line "God got the first and the last word, not man, so you will stay here as long as God wants you to". By the grace of God Tina battled cancer, endured chemotherapy, and battled cancer some more. Despite her condition she enjoyed seeing and speaking with the doctors and nurses at the clinics. Tina leaves to mourn, her mother Ms. Alfreda Perry, her older brother Mr. Brenson Rudolph, a younger brother Mr. Junius Perry, Jr. Younger sisters: Ms. Dorothea Perry, Ms. Precious Floyd, lovingly referred to by Tina as Chung Chung, and her baby sister Reshonah Shem-Yahudah. Tina lived with her nephew Mr. Charles KaiSon Coleman Jr., whom she referred to as Grand Baby. She had four nieces: Ms. Chantel Rudolph, Ms. Brendorah Rudolph, Ms. Sherell Rudolph, and Robyn Scott. Two grand-nephews: Amir and Amyas. Three grand-nieces: Tiara, Baili, Nevaeh. Uncles: Mr. Nathanial Rudolph Sr. (Renee), Mr. Roy Perry (Shirley) and Mr. David Perry (Mary) and Mr. Clarence Perry. Aunts: Ms. Lois Wellington, Ms. Virginia Simon, Ms Joyce Perry and Ms Vanessa Perry. Tina also leaves to mourn a host of cousins, relatives, co-workers, and friends - far too many to count. One very special person, who we do not want to forget, was her neighbor P.J. (aka James Brown). Tina enjoyed receiving visits from P.J. in her last days. He was one person she would open her eyes for. Lastly, Beyonce, Tina’s beloved cat, they were inseparable. Tina called Beyonce her daughter and nicknamed her Grandma.

Ms. Tina Yvonne Perry

December 22, 1963 - March 12, 2016