Daphne Snell Perry, 84, of New London, North Carolina, passed away on February 3, 2026, due to natural causes related to her long-running battle with non-small cell lung cancer.

A memorial service to honor Daphne and celebrate her amazing life will be held at 11:30 AM Saturday, May 16 at Campbell University’s Butler Chapel in Buies Creek, North Carolina. A luncheon will follow at the Campbell University Student Union.

Daphne was born in Roper, North Carolina on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, 1941. She completed both her high school studies, as well as earned her college degree from then Campbell College, where she earned not only academic achievements, but displayed both athletic and musical talents. Daphne was a captain on the Campbell women’s basketball team, and she received the Vivian Dawson Massey Music Award while serving as Librarian for the prestigious Campbell Tour Choir. She was a member of the New House Council, Future Business Leaders of America, the Beta Club, and the May Court. Before graduating from Campbell in 1960, Daphne was honored with the prestigious Outstanding Student Award.

Daphne was married to the love of her life, James Perry, on December 3, 1960. They recently celebrated their 65th anniversary.

A devout Christian, Daphne dedicated her life to spreading God’s love and helping others. She not only taught Sunday School for many years, but she was an instrumental leader with the Stonecroft Ministries’ Christian Women’s Club, serving as President of the Minneapolis chapter. Even after she had stepped back from her role as a formal speaker, Christian Women’s Club would periodically receive letters from women stating that Daphne Perry had changed their lives for the better, so moved were they by her inspiring testimony.

Daphne spent her later years enjoying golf, both as a player, as well as assisting her husband with numerous charitable tournaments and events. With a vivacious personality, she could visit with sports legends and Hollywood celebrities just as she would with the neighbor next door.

Daphne is survived by her spouse, Jim, her son Chris Perry, and daughters Pamela Kullman and Michelle Clawson, as well as seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, her brother Mack Snell, and sister, Laura Bullock, in addition to a multitude of close friends.

Daphne is preceded in death by her father, Alger Ben Snell, and her mother, Margaret Everettt Snell.

Proverbs 31:10-12 states, “A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.” Nobody exemplified this more than Daphne Perry. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Daphne Perry Memorial Fund benefitting the Campbell University Women’s Basketball and University Choir, two programs that were especially close to Daphne’s heart.

The family will be using Dutch Iris Florist of Dunn.