Lawndale Manor residents, Town Council members, family and community members quieted at the sound of a hand bell and directed their attention to the birthday girl.

Garner’s oldest resident, Essie Liles Perry, celebrated her 106th birthday Sept. 16 at Lawndale Manor. For the fourth year, Mayor Ronnie Williams dedicated the day to Perry with a special proclamation in her honor.

Born in Halifax County in 1903, she moved to Garner in 1945 and was married to Eustace R. Perry. With three children, nine grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren, Perry chooses to count her many blessings instead of birthday candles.

In return, Perry’s family also counts her as one of their many blessings.

“She’s always been an inspiration,” her grandson, Mark Allen, said.

Perry taught him some valuable life lessons from an early age, like independence. With four older sisters, he said, he never had to hold a cup for himself as a baby. However, his grandmother taught him to hold a cup for himself – a memory he treasures now.

“She loves working with children,” Allen said.

That has been one of Perry’s passions throughout her life. She was an educator for 40 years; 10 of which were in Garner. She also has volunteer for more than 23 years.

Perry’s life as an educator has not been without its struggles. She said she was told she would receive an invitation to an honor society for teachers, but Perry was never inducted because she didn’t have a college degree.

Perry took summer classes at Duke University and took many classes in school to help her prepare for a life of teaching, but it wasn’t equivalent to a degree in education.

“I’ve been to school enough that I could have one,” she said.

Full of wisdom

However, her struggles have only made her a stronger person, full of wisdom to share with others.

Perry was happy to give insight to those around her as she recalled memories from years past.

“There’s nothing so keen as kindness and there’s nothing so royal as the truth,” Perry said.

Since her 105th birthday, Perry said she has found that a lot of fundamental values are needed today.

She believes people should act pure, love their fellow man and trust in God.

A reason to celebrate

Perry’s friends at Lawndale Manor were happy to honor her special day, toasting her long life.

“You always give us a reason to celebrate,” Marianna Robertson of the Lawndale Activity Department said.

Perry has created a lasting legacy among those around her. She wrote a prayer for her friends at Lawndale that is printed with a photo of her hands.

“May your hands always find work to do. May your purse always have a coin or two. May the sun always shine on your windowpane. And may a rainbow be certain to follow every rain,” Perry wrote. “May the hands of a friend always be near you. May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.”