Obituary – Jeanette Perdue McVay

Published 10:42 am Monday, March 24, 2025

Jeanette Perdue McVay died March 18 at her home in Greenville. She was 91 years old.

Funeral services were held on Friday, March 21, beginning at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Dunklin Funeral Home with Minister Steve Foster officiating and Dunklin Funeral Home directing. Burial will follow in Perdue Cemetery. The family received friends for visitation beginning at 10 a.m. until service time.

She was born in the Steiner Store community of Butler County in 1933 to Zell Perdue and Fannie Andress Perdue, the second youngest of several children. She grew up in the Steiner Store community and attended Daisy School. She married Wayne McVay of Crenshaw County in 1949. The couple had three children: Brenda, Faye and Jerry. Jeanette and Wayne remained in the Steiner Store community for most of their married life.

Jeanette was a faithful member of New Providence Church of Christ where she served as the communion steward for many years. Her faith and her devotion were known by all in the community. Through her service, others were led to Christ. She could always be counted on to help anyone in need.

Jeanette was a prolific gardener and enjoyed tending her many flower beds. She learned and honed her craft while helping in her friend Reidy Gregory’s greenhouses. Her family joked that her love of flowers was “seeded” and “grounded” there. In her later years when it became difficult to work in her yard, she would use her golf cart to get around outside to admire her flowers.

Jeanette worked for nearly 40 years at Boss Manufacturing in Greenville, where she packed work gloves. She made many lifelong friends while working there. She enjoyed taking trips and began traveling in earnest in her fifties, accompanied by her family and friends. Her favorite trip involved a cruise to Mexico where her enthusiasm eclipsed that of everyone on the ship, except for her older sister, Zelna. Jeanette’s travels took her to many places in the U.S. and she traveled into her eighties.

In recent years, as her health began to decline, Jeanette was cared for by her daughter Faye. It was Faye’s loving care that enabled Jeanette to remain in her home until her death. The family is forever grateful for her service and support.

Jeanette is survived by her brother, Raymond Perdue and her sister, Melba Newton; three children, Brenda McVay Wingate (Jack), Faye McVay Moorer and Jerry McVay (Audrey); five grandchildren, Richard Wingate (Erin), Jason Wingate (Susan), Melissa Norris, Jenny Dantzler and Jessica Wright (Rob); nine great grandchildren, Davis Wingate, Annie Wingate, Cooper Wingate, Knox Wingate, Austin Norris (Kristen), Brianna Jarman (Cameron), Micheal Dantzler (Victoria), Andrew Dantzler (Victoria) and Bryson Wright; six great, great grandchildren, Emry Rose, Jacob, Riley, August, Asher and Sloan. Jeanette was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, Wayne McVay. Donations can be made to Perdue Cemetery in the Steiner Store Community, in care of the Perdue Cemetery Fund, 6686 Steiner Store Road, Honoraville, AL 36042.

Jeanette’s love for her family was a force that has sustained them throughout life. Her legacy of love was extended to numerous nieces, nephews and friends. All who loved her are comforted in knowing that she is reunited with the love of her life and can once again enjoy God’s beautiful nature.

For online condolences, please visit www.dunklinfh.com.