Edith Johnson Rainey Perrou left this life for her heavenly home, Sunday, January 29, 2023. She passed away peacefully at her home at Abbotswood, Parkside in Greensboro, NC.

On August 16, 1923, Edith Johnson Rainey was born to Michael Conley Rainey and Iva Lee Leatherman in Rowan County near Salisbury. Mrs. Perrou lived a simple life but leaves a spiritual legacy that is rich beyond measure. Her unbending faith in God, love for her family, and her kind spirit will long be remembered by all those who knew her. She was a daughter, sister, mother, grandmother “Granny Rou”, and aunt. We all will surely miss her. Life was not easy for her, being one of four children. Her father died at the age of 42 when she was 3 years old leaving her to help work the farm during the Depression.

She attended Mt. Vernon Baptist Church and North Brook #1. After graduation from high school, she went to work for Alba-Waldensian in Valdese, NC as an inspector. She met and married Master Sergeant George Benjamin Perrou who had just completed five years in the Army. They lived in Valdese, NC where she was an active member of the Waldensian Presbyterian Church. She served as an elder and was secretary of her circle and Sunday School class. She put family above her own needs and was the primary caregiver to her husband, George B. Perrou who was afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease for fourteen years. She moved to Greensboro, NC in September of 1994 and joined the First Presbyterian Church. She attended the Fellowship Sunday School class and was active in the Wednesday Community service and Thursday Friendship Day activities.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Benjamin Perrou; son, Benjamin George Perrou; sisters, Lucille Odom and Geneva Eckard; brother, Fred Raney; half brothers, George Raney, John Raney, Jack Raney, Albert Raney, and Quinn Raney; and half-sister, Luna Smith.

Mrs. Perrou is survived by her daughter, Diane Perrou Stone and husband Dwight of Greensboro; grandchildren, Meredith Stone Smith and husband Will, David Stone and wife Jamie, Jennifer Stone and husband Dominic Carelli, Kelly Perrou Satcher and husband Robert, and Sarah Perrou Dinkins and husband Stephen; and great-grandchildren, William Smith , Edie Smith, Ben Stone, George Stone, Teddy Stone, Sutton Satcher, Robert Satcher, Benjamin Satcher, Sarah-Kate Satcher, Rainey Dinkins, Asa Dinkins, Nehemiah Dinkins, and Benjamin Dinkins. Also surviving is daughter-in-law, Susan McVay Perrou of Florence, SC.

Edith will always be remembered for her love, strength, and strong faith. She served as an example to everyone as someone on whom we could always depend. Her faith and family were her life.

A graveside service celebrating her life will be held on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 12:00 PM at the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The address to the cemetery is 1141 Praley St SW, Valdese, NC 28690. (Exit 111 from Interstate 40)

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Waldensian Presbyterian Church Building Fund at 109 Main St E, Valdese, NC 28690 or Mt Vernon Baptist Church at 1156 Northbrook Three School Rd. Vale, NC 28168 or to the Gideons International Lincoln West Camp at PO Box 1074 Lincolnton, NC 28093.

Heritage Funeral Service and Crematory in Valdese is assisting the family.