Former MS Lawmaker Ed Perry Dies at 76

Ed Perry was well-known for his colorful rendition of the “Whiskey Speech.”
Photo via Youtube

A former Mississippi lawmaker who called Oxford home died Tuesday night at the age of 76.

Felix Edwin “Ed” Perry, 76, was found unresponsive at his Oxford home and was pronounced dead by Lafayette County Coroner Rocky Kennedy.

“I was called to the residence by Oxford police and on arrival, I confirmed his death,” Kennedy told Hottytoddy.com Wednesday.

The funeral service will be held Friday, Jan. 18, 2019, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Oxford with the Rev. Eddie Willis and the Rev. Ann Kelly Officiating. Burial will follow in Oxford Memorial Cemetery. The visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 17, 2019 at Waller Funeral Home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. and the day of service at the church from noon until service time.

An attorney and lifelong Oxford and Lafayette County resident, he was known as a powerful orator. Each year during the session, he would recite a lively rendition of the “Whiskey Speech,” written in the 1950s by Noah “Soggy” Sweat, who served in the Mississippi House of Representatives during that time.

Born in San Diego, CA to the late Felix Everett Perry and Minnie Heald Koelsnick, he graduated from Oxford High School where he served as Student Body President. He graduated from Ole Miss with a B.A. degree in History and Political Science in 1964, was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and a student body senator. Perry received his Law Degree from Ole Miss in 1967.

He was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives from Lafayette County in 1967 and served 32 consecutive years (eight terms, nine elections and seven governors) before retiring in 1999. While in the House, Perry served as chairman of the Appropriations, Constitution, Judiciary, and Municipalities Committees.

His combination of tenure, skill, hard work, speaking ability, and good humor was unmatched among lawmakers. He was once called the “icon of the Mississippi Legislature.” His farewell ceremony was so emotional at moments that he reminded the silent House chambers not to treat it as a death. He became Clerk of the House in 2000 and served four years until his retirement in March 2004.

He also represented the city of Oxford for 19 years and the Lafayette County Board of Education for 12 years. He was recently recognized by the Mississippi Bar Association for 50 years of being an attorney. Perry retired from law practice in 2000 when he became Clerk.

He has been honored by Ole Miss for his long-time service to the state of Mississippi, and by the city of Oxford with a street named after him, the Ed Perry Boulevard. His great friend, the renowned Mississippi writer Willie Morris, once said that “Ed was sui generis – a little of Tom Jefferson, Abe Lincoln and Mark Twain.  Suffused with intelligence and courage.  To me, he vibrates with the best of life.”

Along with his parents, Perry was preceded in death by his brother David Perry.

Ed is survived by two daughters, Melissa Dooley of Murray, KY and Martha Perry of Madison, MS; longtime-friend and companion, Patricia Evans of Madison; sister, Susan Moore of Oxford; brother, Dr. Ronald Perry of Tupelo; two grandchildren, Olivia Dooley of Murray, KY and Landon Smith of Madison; former wife, Rosalyn Neilson Perry and law partner and best friend, Glen Alderson.

Memorial contributions in Perry’s memory may be made to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Avenue, Oxford, MS 38655.

For further information or to leave an online condolence, call 662-234-7971 or visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com.