Mrs. Tama Ann Perry

Tama Ann Perry, age 60, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, October 25, 2020 at her home in Durham, North Carolina. Tama was born July 23, 1960 in Shreveport, Louisiana to Gordon Perry and the late Maud Chambers Perry. She lived in Durham, NC as a young child and moved to Oakland, California, where she obtained her early education at Bishop O’Dowd School. Tama returned to Durham in her early teens and attended Hillside High School, graduating in the Class of 1978. She attended North Carolina Central University, where she majored in English and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1982. She was employed by GTE Telephone Company until her health declined in 2006. She married Thomas B. Bass, Jr. in 1995 and to this union her daughter, Zoe Gordon Bass, was born in May, 1996. Tama wisely counseled, patiently encouraged and fully supported Zoe as she progressed into young adulthood. She was a proud witness, to all of Zoe’s educational and extra curricula accomplishments. She was always Zoe’s biggest and best cheerleader. In spite of her declining health, Tama courageously managed to remain mobile and active. Tama was a voracious reader; and her love and knowledge of literature made her a ‘go-to’ source for anyone who needed a recommendation for a good book to read. She loved to cook good food, as she had been taught by her grandmothers, Eula and Maxine. Her love of great jazz and popular music, she inherited from her father; and her mother’s love of dance blossomed naturally in Tama. She was predeceased by both her maternal and paternal grandparents, her mother, Maud Chambers and brother, Owen Finley. She is survived by her daughter Zoe Bass, Raleigh, NC; father, Gordon Perry, Durham, NC; sister, Jeaneane Finley, Oakland, CA; aunt, Patsy Perry, Chesapeake, VA; cousins, W. Wayne Perry, Jr., Chesapeake, VA; Wade W. Perry III, Durham, NC; Sonny Robinson, Oakland, CA, Anita Cox Cobbs, Durham, Therion E. Cobbs, III, Charlotte, NC; George W. Cox, III, Decatur, GA and Rosemond H. Cox, Durham; special friends, Fred Barbee, Dorlene Thomas, Durham, NC; Rhonda Bellamy, Wilmington, NC; and a host of friends and neighbors. “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor and some style.” -Maya Angelou A Service of Celebration has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at Scarborough & Hargett Celebration of Life Center, Inc., 309 N Queen Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701 at 11:30 a.m., Reverend Cedric Horton delivering the eulogy. *Attendance at the service is limited and in every effort to protect our families and their guests, face coverings are required upon entering our facility.

Mrs. Tama Ann Perry

July 23, 1960 - October 25, 2020