Congress

Gervaise Wynn Perdue, mother of Georgia Sen. David Perdue, dies

By Tony Pugh

McClatchy Washington Bureau

August 15, 2016 06:53 PM

Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., left, poses with his mother, Gervaise Wynn Perdue, center, and his wife, Bonnie, at right, at his congressional swearing-in ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2015. Gervaise Perdue, of Macon, Ga., died Sunday, August 14, 2016. She was 90.
Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., left, poses with his mother, Gervaise Wynn Perdue, center, and his wife, Bonnie, at right, at his congressional swearing-in ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2015. Gervaise Perdue, of Macon, Ga., died Sunday, August 14, 2016. She was 90. Courtesy: Senator David Perdue's office
Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., left, poses with his mother, Gervaise Wynn Perdue, center, and his wife, Bonnie, at right, at his congressional swearing-in ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, 2015. Gervaise Perdue, of Macon, Ga., died Sunday, August 14, 2016. She was 90. Courtesy: Senator David Perdue's office
WASHINGTON

Gervaise Wynn Perdue, mother of Georgia Sen. David Perdue, died Sunday night following a slow decline in her health.

A resident of Macon’s Carlyle Place, Perdue, 90, was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Warner Robins.

A schoolteacher for more than 30 years, she established one of the state’s first programs for gifted students in the Houston County School System. Her husband of 49 years, the late David A. Perdue, served as superintendent of Houston County schools for 20 years.

“Both my parents dedicated their lives to educating the children of Houston County,” Sen. Perdue said Monday in a statement.

“As my mother’s health declined in the past few months, many of our family and friends across the state have filled her heart with joy, and we thank everyone for their kind support,” Perdue’s statement said.

“My mother was a generous woman of great intellect and strength. She was a daily inspiration to our family and so many others in our community . . . Bonnie and I, along with our entire family, will deeply miss my mother, but we find comfort in knowing she is at peace.”

She was born in Irwin County, Georgia, in 1926. She received bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia and earned a specialist in education certification from Mercer University in 1971.

After her retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. In addition to Sen. Perdue, she leaves a daughter, Debbie Perdue of Atlanta, and another son, Dennis Perdue of Cobb County.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made in her name to any charity, the Alzheimer’s Association at 886 Mulberry St., Macon, Georgia, 31201, or the First Baptist Church of Warner Robins, at 1135 Watson Boulevard, Warner Robins, Georgia, 31093.

Arrangements are being handled by the McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory. At a later date, friends will be able to sign an online registry for the family and view a memorial video at www.mcculloughfh.com.

Tony Pugh: 202-383-6013, @TonyPughDC

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