Ms. Tammy Perry

Tammy Lashawn Perry was born on August 18th, 1971 in Harvey, Illinois. She was the only child of the proud union of Jesse James Perry and Sandra Saulsberry. She attended Bloom High School in Chicago Heights in her teen years and was a dedicated member of First Union Missionary Baptist Church in Ford Heights in her adult years. During her years in Ford Heights, Tammy touched many lives. She and her family lived on Congress Lane and, in many ways, Tammy’s household was the heartbeat of the block. Tammy could often be found sitting in her lawn chair enjoying the sun while friends, neighbors, and children dropped by for a visit, to play with her kids, or to get their hair braided (Tammy was amazing at braiding—she was fast, precise, and neat). Perhaps best known for her food, Tammy spent many hours at the stove cooking or outside barbequing on the grill. Even though Tammy never had that much to begin with, Tammy always seemed to be making one more sandwich for the neighborhood kids who flocked around her house. Tammy was also known around town for walking. Whether it was to get birthday décor for one of her kids’ birthdays or to visit friends on the other side of town, Tammy was strong and didn’t let anything stop her: she walked everywhere no matter the weather. Tammy also kept an immaculate house. She was bit of a neat-freak. Sundays were the days she flicked on her Gospel music and got to cleaning the house...even if it was already clean! Tammy wasn’t perfect. She made plenty of bad choices in her life. Many of these bad choices stemmed from a life filled with many trials and tribulations. This “school of hard knocks” generated a great deal of trauma and chaos in her life. But Tammy was strong. She fought hard to overcome these hardships. She never gave up. She was tiny, but mighty. She was a fierce Mama Bear. Despite her struggles, Tammy was a beloved member of the Ford Heights community and was seen as a generous and welcoming person. Equipped with a charismatic personality, she loved to love on people. She shared the little that she had and made time for others. When people saw her around town, they’d affectionally call out: “Tah-meeeehhh!” Everybody in town knew who Tammy Perry was. Despite the distress and unfortunate situations in her life, Tammy tried to make the best of her lot in life and, in the process, created a lot of fond memories with those around her. She left behind a very dysfunctional family, but one that she was truly proud of. Sadly, Tammy fell asleep in death on January 27th, 2023. She is preceded in death by her father Jesse James Perry, her mother Sandra Saulsberry, her son Arnell Lowery, and her daughter Shawntella Moutry. She is survived by four sons--Andrew Lowery, Cory Lowery, Jacoby Perry, and Jacarie Kindred--and six daughters--Tashay, Cerelle Lowery, Andrewia Lowery, Kaneisha Perry, Terrionna Perry, and Dejanae Kindred, as well as by a host of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear relatives and friends. Lastly, she leaves behind two special friends and down-the-street neighbors, Tatiana and Chico Fajardo-Heflin, who cherished her and helped care for and raise her five youngest children for many, many years. Tammy will truly be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Tributes

Ms. Tammy Perry

August 17, 1971 - January 27, 2023