Daphne Snell Perry, a 1960 Campbell College graduate and longtime supporter of Campbell University Athletics, died on Feb. 3, at the age of 84.
A memorial service honoring her life will be held on a future date at Campbell University, the family announced.
A native of Roper, North Carolina, Perry studied business education at Campbell, where she excelled academically, athletically and musically. She 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 also a member of the New House Council, Future Business Leaders of America, the Beta Club and the May Court. Before graduating from Campbell, Perry was honored with the school’s Outstanding Student Award.
It was at Campbell where she met the love of her life, James (“Jim”) Perry, and the two were married on Dec. 3, 1960. Jim Perry would go on to a long, successful career as a Major League Baseball pitcher — a three time All-Star and winner of the 1970 Cy Young Award.
In 2012, Jim and Daphne Perry shared the story of how they met and what it was like to date at Campbell College in the late 1950s with Campbell Magazine.
“Shortly after we met, the boys and girls teams were riding the bus together to play Chowan, and Dr. [A.R.] Burkot [the dean of students at the time] took the trip with us,” Daphne Perry recalled. “Jim and I were seated together, and at that time, [head basketball coach Fred] McCall didn’t know me. So he asked Dr. Burkot, ‘Who is this girl?’ like he didn’t want me there. And I understood, because Jim was his ‘boy.’ He had three daughters, and Jim was like a son to him. He wanted to know who this little girl was messing with his boy.”
“If it weren’t for Campbell, we wouldn’t have met,” Jim Perry said. “Our children, our grandchildren … none of that would have happened if it hadn’t been for Campbell.”
A devout Christian, Daphne Perry dedicated her life to spreading God’s love and helping others. She not only taught Sunday school for many years, she was an instrumental leader with the Stonecroft Ministries’ Christian Women’s Club, serving as president of the Minneapolis chapter during Jim’s years with the Minnesota Twins. Even after she had stepped back from her role as a formal speaker, the 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.
She 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.
In 2013, Daphne Perry was named a Distinguished Alumna of Campbell University. That same year, Campbell dedicated its newly renovated baseball stadium as Jim Perry Stadium. In 2017, the Perry family contributed to the expansion of the stadium to include the Jim and Daphne Perry Pavilion, home to additional seating for games, new offices for the entire baseball staff, a state-of-the-art locker room, new in-ground dugouts and a viewing deck.
Campbell University Director of Athletics Hannah Bazemore said the loss of Daphne Perry has left a “tremendous void” in the Campbell community.
“This news breaks our hearts. Daphne meant so much to Campbell University, and this place meant so much to her,” Bazemore said. “From her time as a basketball student-athlete and member of the choir here at Campbell, to her impact as a friend, mentor and benefactor, her legacy will live on through each of the many lives she enriched throughout. Our hearts and our prayers are with Jim and the entire Perry family.”
Former Campbell AD Bob Roller worked closely with the Perrys during the renovations to the baseball stadium. He called Daphne Perry the “all-star” in a family of all-stars, and a shining example of “faith, love and devotion.”
“Anyone who knew Daphne and Jim saw a true partnership rooted in their love for God, family and Campbell University,” Roller said. “Her spirit uplifted everyone around her and made Campbell Athletics a better place. Her legacy will continue to inspire all who were blessed to know her.”
And current Campbell Baseball Head Coach Chris Marx called Daphne one of the most genuine people he’d ever met.
“Her impact on Campbell Baseball goes far beyond wins and losses — her heart, selflessness and belief in this university helped shape who we are,” Marx said. “Whether they knew it or not, her generosity changed the lives of so many who came through this program. Our program is better because of her, and her legacy will live on forever.”
Daphne Perry 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. She was preceded in death by her father, Alger Ben Snell, and her mother, Margaret Everett Snell.