Nellie Perrigo

Someone Is Missing

Let this be a loving reminder, 

That someone is missing today, 

Someone our hearts still hold on to, 

As we travel along life’s way. 

Someone who made life so special, 

For all those who gather here,  

Someone who won’t be forgotten, 

But cherished from year to year. 

And now, as we pause to remember, 

Let us all fondly recall, 

How dearly each of us loved her, 

And oh…how she loved us all…. 

With Angels at her side and a smile upon her face, Nellie Ruth Ezzell Perrigo walked into the beautiful kingdom of Heaven on Saturday, February 10th, 2024.  Nellie Ruth leaves behind a legacy of kindness, selflessness, and love for her family and friends. 

 Nellie Ruth was born on Tuesday, July 27th, 1926 to Edward Lee and Irene Malone Ezzell, in Pogo, a small rural community in Red Bay Alabama.  She was the second child, but the oldest daughter born to this union. 

 In her young years, you would find her alongside her siblings working on the family farm.  Picking cotton, milking cows and gathering eggs were just some of the normal daily chores.  Times were tough and work was limited, so Nellie Ruth and her sister Elaine moved to Nashville around 1946.   

 Nellie soon met the father of her children, James “Doc” Perrigo.  And they welcomed two sons, Ricky Joe in 1952 & Dewey Lee in 1953.  Nellie Ruth loved her boys and she wanted to make sure that they were loved and taken care of above everything else.   

 Nellie Ruth worked 2 jobs for many years, before retiring from H.G. Hills after years of hard work and dedication.  After that you would still find her walking the 2nd floor of Castner Knott at Rivergate with a sweet smile on her face.  As the years went on, and the computer systems kept changing, she would go to work at Hobby Lobby in the piece goods department.  This would be her last public role.   

Nellie Ruth was a faithful member of New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Goodlettsville for many years.  She was a lady with a purpose, and that was to make everyone else’s life easier.  She took on tasks with a smile on her face, and love in her heart.  She had a CAN-DO attitude, and she always found a way. 

 Nellie Ruth loved her boys for sure, but nothing compared to the love she held for her grandchildren.  She was the true definition of Grandma.  She took her role very seriously as she spoiled them, giving her a new outlook on life.  She enjoyed each and every moment spent with them throughout the years. 

 Nellie Ruth was a woman with a contagious smile and a heart of pure gold.  She was a blessed woman.  Blessed with a family that loved and supported her in good times and bad.  And blessed to leave behind a legacy of pure love, devotion, and kindness to those that were blessed to know her. 

 If there was a quote that was written for Nellie Ruth it would be: 

“Be a good witness by the way you live.  The way we live is often more convincing than the words we say.”  Billy Graham.   

Nellie Ruth is survived by: 

Granddaughter Dylan Perrigo & husband Bruno Abramoff 

Grandsons, Colin & Shane Perrigo 

Great-Grandsons Elias & Otto Abramoff 

Daughter in Law Andrea Perrigo 

Sisters Eva Hanberry & Faye Gregory 

Many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.