Evelyn Perry

Evelyn Reis Perry, 79, of Charleston, South Carolina, widow of Charles Gordon Perry III, entered into eternal rest Friday, June 18, 2021. Her Funeral Service will be held Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in J. Henry Stuhr Inc. Downtown Chapel, 232 Calhoun Street at 10:00 a.m. Interment, Magnolia Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday in the Downtown Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.

Evelyn was born March 9, 1942 in New York, New York, daughter of the late Ludwig Reis and Bertl Wolf Reis. She earned a degree in Political Science and Communications from the University of Wisconsin and went on to serve in the Peace Corps in Colombia, South America developing educational programs. She lived in Mexico for a year helping to organize the 1968 Olympics. In Raleigh, NC she established ArtSpace, a visual and performing arts center, and later directed a shelter for women who were victims of domestic violence. From 1984 she was the President and CEO of Carolina Sound Communications in North Charleston. She served for decades with the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) including seven terms as Chairman of the Leadership Council. She was the founding President of the Lowcountry Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners and spent ten years as a member of the Local Advisory Board of BB&T Bank.

Evelyn is survived by her sons: David R. Perry of Charleston, SC and Charles G. Perry IV (Susie) of Summerville, SC; granddaughter, Jessica L. Perry; grandson, Reis A. Perry; mother Bertl Reis of Novi, MI and sister, Diane Harnisch of West Bloomfield, MI.

Memorials may be made in her name to the National Kidney Foundation (www.kidney.org).