Marie Fuselier Perry
January 13, 1929 - October 21, 2017
OKLAHOMA CITY
Marie Fuselier Perry, age 88, died peacefully on Oct. 21, 2017, as a result of complications associated with a stroke. Marie was the oldest of four children, all born and raised in Grayson, OK. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Langston University and a master's degree in education from Oklahoma State University. Marie was amongst the earliest African-American students admitted for graduate work at OSU. Marie was a teacher for over 40 years, working at Dunjee High School in Choctaw, OK and the vast majority of her career at Quail Creek Elementary in Oklahoma City from which she retired.
Marie was known as the “Inquiring Mind” to her children because of her voracious intellect and joy at learning new things about the world around her. She was an avid historian with a keen interest in U.S. presidential history, leading her to visit a number of presidential libraries and historical sites around the world. She loved watching movies and documentaries and was known for her ability to pick really good films. Marie was known to have complained that she “had wasted the day” because she was caught up in an incidental showing of The Godfather trilogy or Pretty Woman on TV.
In the over 20 years since her retirement, Marie enjoyed her life with lots of travel, both in the U.S. and abroad. She attended Dallas Cowboys football games while collecting tons of Cowboy memorabilia, and became a connoisseur of bar-b-que from coast-to-coast. A love of technology late in life led to a mastery of the internet and “all things Apple” for Marie. This allowed her to further expand her horizons and study geopolitical events around the world. She really enjoyed texting on her iPhone, which she used to track the locations and well-being of her globe-trotting children and family.
Marie was a repository of wisdom and clear-headed advice not only for her children, but for their friends as well. It was not uncommon for her to receive a call seeking her thoughts on raising children and other life challenges, or requesting her prayers on someone’s behalf because of her deep relationship with God and her spirituality. “Would you call and ask your mother ..” was a frequent query from a wide range of friends and extended family from around the world seeking solace during difficult times.
In closing, Marie F. Perry had a remarkable ability to endear herself to many people throughout her life. Her compassion, sharp wit, life experience and wisdom have reached beyond her through her children and grandchildren. We have all been remarkably blessed that she touched our lives and will FOREVER miss her.
Services will be will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017, at the EM Temple Chapel of Remembrance, 2801 North Kelley Ave., Oklahoma City, OK 73111.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests charitable donations be made to any of the following organizations: the Oklahoma Food Bank, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Habitat for Humanity, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, or the American Institute for Cancer Research.