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About Us & Staff
Perry Funeral Home Vision
Perry Funeral Home will focus on being the premier provider of compassionate, efficient, and dignified services.
We will create meaningful funeral and memorialization experiences for the families we serve.
The late Orlando K. Perry had a vision of building his own funeral home. His vision was realized with the establishment of the elegant Perry Funeral Home.
Since 1958, Perry Funeral Home has faithfully served Newark and the surrounding communities. The Staff's kindness, compassion and professionalism have led families throughout the entire area to depend on Perry Funeral Home to help them through the difficult time of dealing with the death of a loved one.
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Mr. Samuel C. Arnold, Manager, Mrs. Virginia Perry, President, Mr. Darryle Sanders, Assistant Manager |
Perry Funeral Home is…..
"Dedicated to Serving Families with Compassion and Dignity"
Elegant, yet comfortable, Perry Funeral Home provides many services to their families, from Traditional to Cremation, with or without services. Our personalized arrangements allow you to customize your service. There is a Selection Room that includes a wide variety of caskets, vaults, urns and keepsakes. Shipping services are also available.
All of these services are provided at prices you can afford. So, when making this important decision concerning your loved one, allow Perry Funeral Home, the trusted choice for many years, to assist.
Our Staff
Our staff of licensed funeral directors, office and maintenance personnel, drivers and many other part- time personnel is here to make your visit to our funeral home warm and inviting. We are trained to handle all ethnic and religious services and can assist you with any special request you might have to make your service as meaningful as possible.
From the Perry family to our part-time personnel, our sole purpose is to assist you during a difficult time. Thank you for placing your trust with Perry Funeral Home.
Virginia Perry, President, N.J. Lic. No. 3289
Sam Arnold, Manager, N.J. Lic. No. 3180
Darryle Sanders, Assistant Manager, N.J. Lic. No 3379
Virginia Arnold Perry was born in Bassett, Virginia, on January 22, 1937 to Robert and Geneva Arnold.
Working hard became a way of life for Virginia at an early age. Her mother died at age 37 when Virginia was only 17, leaving a young family of nine children. Being the oldest of the family, she quickly accepted the responsibility of helping her father raise her brothers and sisters.
Virginia graduated from the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore with a degree in Business Administration. While a student, Virginia met and married Orlando K. Perry, Sr. who had been in business for one year. After graduation, Virginia taught in the Newark and Roselle, New Jersey school system for 10 years. During these years, she also worked closely with her husband, applying her business training to a new and growing business. While working and attending school, Virginia gave birth to her three children, Nancy, Orlando, Jr. and Tracey. She always managed to find time to tend to them lovingly and attentively.
In 1970, Virginia gave up teaching and came to work full time with her husband. Orlando enjoyed having his wife by his side and he can be credited with teaching her every aspect of the business. He often remarked about her business skills and kindly manner with the clients.
In 1975, Virginia enrolled in American Academy - McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in New York City. She graduated and became a licensed funeral direction in 1976.
Orlando Perry's untimely death in 1990 brought a great deal of sorrow to her and her family, but again, she had to rise to the occasion and assume the role of President of the firm.
Virginia was an owner of two successful boutiques, Jinn Re's, a boutique for larger sizes, in Montclair, NJ, and Treasures Unlimited, an accessory boutique in South Orange, NJ. After Orlando's death, the responsibilities of the funeral home required Virginia to devote 100% of her time to the business. And after five years, a decision to close the boutiques was made.
Virginia is a loyal and active member of Bethany Baptist Church, in Newark. She knows that God is the source of her strength. She has served on the Black College and the Building Fund Committees. She also chaired Mothers' Day Weekend and Homecoming "2000". In addition, he also supported and chaired funding raising activities for the Christian Academy, a new addition to the church. Virginia also holds active memberships in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Associate membership in Jack and Jill of America, Essex and Union County Funeral Directors' Association, Garden State Funeral Directors' Association, National Funeral Directors' and Morticians' Association, and Women's Auxiliary, National Funeral Directors' Association and the NAACP.
Virginia has received numerous community service and humanitarian awards. But anyone who knows Virginia Perry can attest to her unpretentiousness. She prefers to stay quietly in the background.
Virginia has given scholarships to many local youngsters. Many of them still call or visit years after graduation. She has employed several former students. One has been employed at the Perry Funeral Home for over thirty-five years; and another for over 18 years.
Virginia loves to travel. She has traveled to four of the seven continents as well as much of the United States, including Hawaii. In traveling, she always inquires of the funeral practices of that country. She also loves to cook soul food and host family and friends at many dinners and brunches at her home. Virginia also collects Black art and has a passion for decorating.
Virginia's children have given her six grandchildren; namely, George, Christopher, Angela, Brianna, Alecia and Tre'.
Despite her many obligations, Virginia continues to finds time for her family - her greatest source of joy!!!
Samuel C. Arnold was born and raised in Bassett, Virginia, where he attended the Mary Hunter Elementary School and the George Washington Carver High School. He graduated Cum Laude from Virginia State University with a degree in Political Science.
He recalls that college was not easy at first, but with two older brothers attending college at the same time, they helped him "buckle down" to the rigors of college life". He had the pleasure of being taught Constitutional Civil Liberties, by the former Governor Lawrence Douglas Wilder in 1972-1973. He was a distinguished military graduate as well a distinguished military student, being sworn in as a Second Lieutenant on May 5, 1973. Sam graduated from Virginia State University declared Magnum Cum Laude on May 6, 1973.
During his college years, Sam helped organize political events and he wrote grant applications for the funding of various programs. He traveled to Chicago, Illinois; Atlanta, Georgia; Gary, Indiana and other cities, to promote research statistics on the "Genocide of Urban Blacks", under the direction of Dr. Calvin Miller, the Political Science Department Chairman.
Sam was a member of the Virginia State University ROTC Program for four years and served faithfully in the U.S. Military. Thereafter, he was stationed in Newark, NJ at the 2-113(MD Inf BN) Infantry Battalion from 1976 through 1988. During those years, he was a Communications Expert Officer (C.E.O.), Co-Commander, and Logistics S-4 Officer. He was promoted to major in 1988 and transferred to the 50th Armd. Division Headquarters in Somerset, NJ, where he served as the Headquarter Commandant. Sam completed the Armor Officer Basic Course (AOBC), in Fort Knox, Kentucky on August 7, 1975, in the top ten percent of the class. He joined 2nd-113th (Mech) Inf. BN. In July 1976, a young second Lieutenant he served as a Communicator Expert Officer (CEO), Mortar Platoon Leader, Company Commander and S-4 (Staff Logistics Officer). Sam retired from Army National Guard in July 1996.
September 1974, Mr. Arnold graduated from the American Academy-McAllister Institute of Funeral Service in September 1974 and passed both the National and State Board Exams. He has received appreciation awards from the Newark Day Care Council where he has been a board member for more than 26 years and the International Youth Organization. Sam has also been involved for more than 22 years with the Day Nursery of Montclair and has been recognized by the National Guard for Military Service and staff leadership. He has served on numerous boards, which include the Mary E. Wheeler Cultural Center, Newark, NJ, Day Nursery of Montclair, and he has been instrumental as an advisor for the International Youth Organization, Newark, New Jersey.
Sam has been a driving force at the Perry Funeral Home since December 1970. His lifelong dream was to become involved in politics, but as time marched on; his passion for funeral service blossomed. He is always glad to be of service to help lift the spirits of those who need it most.
Sam is married to the former Retha Rose, formerly of Montclair. He and his wife currently reside in Newark, New Jersey.
For more information, please call us:
phone (973) 824-9201 or (888) 825-9320
e-mail: info@perryfuneralhome.com
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