Mary Melvina (Atwell) Perez

Mary Melvina (Atwell) Perez, 76, of Martinsville, VA passed away on Monday, May 3, 2021 at her home in Martinsville, VA. 

Mary was born on December 23, 1944 in Raysal, WV.  The daughter of the late Allen James and Clydie Pauline (McLaughlin) Atwell. 

Mary was instrumental in her life with the development of Night Vision Glasses for the United States Military, while living in Gaithersburg, MD with her loving husband, Joseph Frank Perez.  Mr. Perez passed away about 14 years ago, due to complications from “Agent Orange,” while serving his country as an MP in the Vietnam War. 

Mary was also a homemaker and was of the Baptist Faith. 

In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Frank Perez, three brothers, Walter B. (Boone), Billy James and Eddie Gene Atwell and three sisters, Helen Atwell and her twin sister Doris Marie Perez, whom Mary loved dearly, also Sharon Atwell, who passed away at a very young age. 

Those left behind to cherish Mary’s memory include her brothers, Albert Lee Atwell, Charles Edward Atwell, Melvin Joe Atwell and his wife Levone, all of Martinsville, VA and Cecil Gene Atwell and his wife Phyllis of Tonica, IL.  Two sisters, Betty Ellen Rose of Lexington, NC and Margie Wishnevsky of Princeton, WV as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Friends and family may call at Dorsey Funeral Home, 701 South Pike Street, Shinnston, WV, on Saturday, May 8, 2021 from 11:00am to 1:00pm.  Time of service with Pastor Delores White officiating.

Entombment will be held at Shinnston Memorial Cemetery in Shinnston, WV. 

Dorsey Funeral Home is honored to be handling the arrangements for the Perez family.

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