Michael Burnett Perry was born on January 15, 1944, in Monroe, Georgia to Henry H. Perry and Lenora Lucille Burnett both from Suwanee and who later settled in Baldwin, Georgia where Michael was raised.   On March 8, 2023, Michael passed in peace in his own St Marys, Georgia home surrounded by those who loved him.  He will be sorely missed for his love of life, his faith, his wisdom, and his strength.

Michael earned an undergraduate degree in Finance at the University of Georgia and then, to avoid the draft, enlisted for military duty.  During the Vietnam War, he served as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps and was stationed to an artillery regiment in Da Nang and Hue.  The war was pivotal to Michael's worldview and commitment to both justice and mercy.  After the war, he attended Emory Law School where he received his juris doctorate, and on March 3, 2023, he received a certificate from the State Bar of Georgia commemorating his 50 years of legal counsel.

Michael was an avid golfer, gardener and baker in that order.  Throughout his lifetime he participated in a multitude of local clubs and organizations in including the Camden County Rotary Club, Ducks Unlimited, the Our Lady Star of the Sea Men of the Church, Camden County NAACP, two development authorities, city attorney for St Marys, county attorney in Charlton County, and many, many more. He was an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church USA, and he took those responsibilities seriously in his personal and professional lives.  In later years, Michael found great fulfillment in his service with families involved with the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

In the last decade or so of life Michael was easily recognizable by his 1940's hats and his man-bag. His favorite color was bright yellow which he sported with his ties, cell phone case, sunglasses, umbrella, and his casual shoes. He loved the law.   He also loved reading and discussing history, being outdoors, long drives to nowhere, and, most of all, his family.

Michael was predeceased by his father in 2006; his brother, Henry Alan Perry five years ago; and more recently by his loving mother.  Michael is survived by wife of 34 years, Celenda Harper Perry and his four children: Jason Stuart Perry, Georgia Lynn Perry, Katherine Burnett Perry (her wife Suliana), and Riley Beatrice Perry; and his three grandchildren – Kaylen, Henry, and AJ. He is also survived by his brother David Leonard Perry (wife Yadira) as well as his close cousin Kim (husband Ellis) and a multitude of extended family, friends, and other admirers.

A memorial service will be held graveside at Oak Grove Cemetery on April 1, 2023, at 1:00 pm (Bailey St entrance). Honorary pallbearers include his dear friends Garnett Harrison, Jacqueline Fortier, Darice Ligon, CT Green, Ebby Sopp, Nicey Woods and Greg Anderson.  Later that afternoon, in a celebration of Michael's life, the family will receive friends and colleagues to share memories at the Perry home at 105 Wheeler Street from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, friends are encouraged to contribute to the Georgia Legal Services Program, the Okefenokee Protection Alliance, JASMYN, or the First Presbyterian Church of St. Marys, Georgia.

The family thanks you for your kind words, thoughts, visits, and prayers during this time of loss.  Whenever you might think of Michael, may you find something yellow and smile.

Allison Memorial Chapel is in charge of arrangements.