Obituary: Stewart Perry
Stewart Perry, a gifted athlete, devoted coach, woman of deep faith, and beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, died on October 12, 2026 from complications with Parkinson’s Disease. She was 73.
Born Lillian Stewart Smith in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on February 8, 1953, Stewart was the daughter of Gene and Rachel Smith. From an early age, she demonstrated the determination, intelligence, and athletic ability that would shape her life. She attended Whitaker Elementary School, where she served as sixth-grade class president and helped write the school song, which remains in use today. She went on to attend Salem Academy, following in her mother's footsteps, and graduated in 1971. At Salem, she excelled academically and formed many of the lifelong friendships she treasured throughout her life.
Stewart’s remarkable athletic career began when she took up tennis at the age of eight. By eleven, she had won the North Carolina Junior Girls 12-and-Under Singles Championship. At twelve, she was a state junior singles champion, held a high Southern junior ranking, and ranked among the nation's top ten players in the girls' 12-and-under division. She went on to win numerous North Carolina junior girls' state titles before attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she played on the women's varsity tennis team. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority.
In 1977, Stewart became head coach of the Wake Forest University women's tennis team, a position she held for two years. Her first recruit, Cindy Corey Christopher, became Wake Forest's first full-scholarship female athlete, marking an important milestone in the university's athletic history. Stewart’s coaching career reflected her belief in the opportunities sport could create for young women, both on and off the court.
On September 9, 1978, Stewart married Warren S. Perry Jr. at First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem. Following their marriage, they made their home in Kinston, North Carolina, where she built a life centered on family, faith, athletics, and community.
Stewart remained a dedicated athlete throughout her life. An avid runner, she helped organize road races in Kinston and won many of them herself. She continued playing tennis well into her later years, both in Kinston and Morehead City, and was known for her exceptional fitness and enduring competitive spirit. She also taught numerous fitness classes in the Kinston area, sharing her enthusiasm for an active life with others. At Arendell Parrott Academy, she coached swimming, tennis, and cross country, inspiring young athletes and helping lead the boys swimming team to the state title in 2006.
Her commitment to others extended well beyond athletics. A woman of deep faith, Stewart led Bible studies for women throughout the Kinston community and found meaningful ways to put her beliefs into action through service to others. Her faith remained an important foundation throughout her life, shaping the way she nurtured relationships with family and friends and cared for her community. Stewart was an active member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, where she continued to find connection and fellowship.
Above all, Stewart cherished her family. She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Warren “Wes” S. Perry Jr.; her sons, Warren and Andrew; her daughter-in-law, Lacy Pishke Perry; and her four beloved grandchildren, Bennett, Kate, Zach, and Quinn, who affectionately knew her as “Sweet Pea.” Stewart is also survived by her brother, Gray Smith, his wife, Leigh, and their daughters, Jane and Amelia. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gene and Rachel Smith.
Stewart will be remembered for her intelligence, athleticism, competitive spirit, deep faith, and unwavering devotion to the people she loved. Whether on a tennis court, a running course, in a classroom or Bible study, or gathered with family, she brought energy, purpose, and commitment to the things that mattered to her. Her influence lives on in the athletes she coached, the friends she cherished, the community she served, and, most especially, the family she loved.
The funeral will be at St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Kinston, NC on Friday, October 23 at 2:00pm. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family invites memorial contributions to St Mary's Church or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in Stewart’s honor. Her son Warren will run the New York City Marathon on November 1, 2026, in her memory, raising funds to support the foundation's work toward better treatments and a cure for Parkinson's disease.
