Tallulah Kershaw

Tallulah Kershaw, 64, of Lake James, NC, went to be with the Lord Tuesday, November 7. She was born in Charleston, SC, the daughter of the late Joseph Brevard Kershaw and Elizabeth Lucas Kershaw, and was a direct descendant of General J. B. Kershaw of the Civil War and General J. B. Kershaw of the Revolutionary War, after whom Kershaw County, SC, was named.

Tallulah began her working life as a dance instructor for children on a local Charleston, SC, TV station when she was 12. After graduating from General William Moultrie High School, she journeyed to New York, becoming a backup dancer with the June Taylor Dancers on the Jackie Gleason Show. She then became a Flight Attendant for United Airlines, and was a champion skier with the company’s ski team. She was well known for her many wonderfully entertaining stories of her travels and adventures throughout the US, Europe and Asia, and for her warmth, empathy and exceptional courage.

Tallulah is survived by her husband of 24 years, Christopher Perky; a brother Joseph Brevard Kershaw and his wife Kathe of Deerfield Beach, FL; their children, Kathleen, Tracy, and Summer; a brother Jonathan Lucas Kershaw and his wife Carole of Bethlehem, PA; their children; Laura and Stephen; Jonathan’s son, Adam Kershaw and his wife Devon of Mt. Pleasant, SC; a cousin, Jean Stutsman of Mt. Pleasant, SC; her children Jane, Judy and Pete; a cousin, Alyse Lucas Corcoran of Atlanta, GA; a sister-in-law, Janine Renee Perky of Vienna, VA; Janine’s children Jennifer and Ray; a close friend, roommate and fellow Flight Attendant since 1963, Suzy Lynch and her husband Bob of Seattle, WA, a close friend and the Best Man at her wedding, Walt Johnson and his wife Terry of Martinsburg, WV. Tallulah was proud to be called their ‘nother mother by Adam Kershaw, Jason Boehme, Breck, Tressa and Brennen Wheelock.

Memorial services will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday, January 6, 2007, at the Morganton First Church of God with visiting Pastor and Worship Leader Roger Wheelock and his wife, Elaine, officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Morganton First Church of God. Sossoman Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.