Perry, a longtime leader of the Wake County NAACP and an erstwhile community volunteer, was honored with a party at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Center of Eternal Hope.

After a catered dinner, the crowd heard musical presentations from two of Perry's grandchildren and tributes from a number of friends and colleagues, including U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge; Carolyn Coleman, first vice president of the North Carolina NAACP; and Sen. Dan Blue.

Perry's son, Vernon, also paid tribute to his mother.

"We wanted to stop to celebrate your 80th and say thank you for inspiring, encouraging and showing each of us that God always has somebody on board, teaching us that the storms of life are not designed to destroy us and reminding us to keep our confidence in ourselves, in others and especially in God," Vernon Perry said.