Sonja Gay Duncan Perry, 86, of Blueberry Ridge in Olive Hill, Kentucky, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.
Sonja was born January 1, 1940, in Carter County, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Jess and Ethel Duncan. She was a 1958 graduate of Olive Hill High School. On September 12, 1960, she married her high school sweetheart, Robert Patrick “Pat” Perry. They shared 46 wonderful years together before the love of her life was called home.
Together, Sonja and Pat raised four children, teaching them to be kindhearted, understanding, and to treat others as they would want to be treated. These lessons were rooted in the strong faith and Christian values that guided their home and their lives.
Sonja was also very active with the Girl Scouts of America, where she worked with many young girls and helped guide them into fine young women. Her encouragement, wisdom, and caring spirit made a lasting difference in the lives of those she mentored.
Sonja worked for the Carter County Board of Education, first as a cook in the cafeteria at Olive Hill Elementary and later as a bus monitor, riding various routes throughout the county. Many former students still remember her as the lady who knew their lunch number or sat beside them on the school bus.
Between those jobs, Sonja operated an in-home daycare. What began with caring for her grandchildren grew to include many other children, all of whom she loved and treated as her own. She always made sure each child had their favorite special meal.
Her faith and compassion for others also led Sonja, along with others, to open the Duncan House, a home for women with intellectual disabilities. She lovingly operated the home until funding was no longer available. Caring for others was not just something Sonja did—it was who she was.
In addition to her parents, Sonja was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Pat Perry; her son, Rob Perry; and her sister, Ruby Wilson.
She is survived by her daughter, Karen Wells of Yorktown, Indiana; two sons, Randall (Alisha) Perry of Morehead, Kentucky, and Christopher Perry of Olive Hill, Kentucky; and the pride of her life, her grandchildren, Matthew (Kristin) Wells of Osceola, Indiana, Aaron (Valorie) Wells of Daleville, Indiana, Tyler Perry (Lucas Sharpe) of Lexington, Kentucky, Destiny (Jordan) Walburn of Mt. Washington, Kentucky, Tylar (Chris) Maxey of Tampa, Florida, Wade Perry of Morehead, Kentucky, Hunter and Maddison Lemaster, and Caroline Perry of Morehead, Kentucky.
She is also survived by her four precious great-grandchildren, Hudson and Sawyer Wells of Osceola, Indiana, Brynlee Wells of Daleville, Indiana, and Myles Walburn of Mt. Washington, Kentucky; her beloved Shih Tzu, Cash, who was her constant companion; and her devoted in-home caregiver for the past year, Wendy Knight.
Sonja’s life was centered around faith, family, and caring for others. She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of kindness and love that will live on through the many lives she touched.
Visitation for Sonja will be held Thursday, September 3, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., and after 9 a.m., Friday, September 4, 2026, until the service hour at Globe Funeral Chapel. Funeral. Services will be conducted by the Rev. Marlin Hotle at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 4, 2026, at Globe Funeral Chapel. Burial will follow at Underwood Cemetery, located off Carter Caves Road.
Pallbearers will be Matthew Wells, Aaron Wells, Tyler Perry, Lucas Sharpe, Hunter Lemaster, Jordan Walburn, Keith Wilson, Lloyd Callihan, and Jeremy Brown.
Suggested memorial contributions may be made in Sonja’s memory to her church, Olive Hill Wesleyan Church, or to Olive Hill Meals on Wheels.
