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The funeral for Mother Perry was held Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours.

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China Carrol, 6, falls asleep in the front row of the church during the funeral of "Mother" Annie Mae Perry on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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The funeral of "Mother" Annie Mae Perry was held on on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Pearlene Dixon, center, and her brother Dave Perry, second from right, and sister Earlene Avant sit among other family during the funeral of their mother Annie Mae Perry on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Harold Hampton, grandson of "Mother" Annie Mae Perry sheds tears during her funeral on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Aassara Addison, 3, a great great granddaughter of Annie Mae Perry, falls asleep on her mother's lap during Perry's funeral Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Shadavea McWilliams, 10, a great-great granddaughter of Annie Mae Perry, looks up with tears in her eyes as she sings a song with Perry's other grand children during her funeral Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Darryl Avant, grandson of Mother Annie Mae Perry, speaks during her funeral on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. "I never saw my grand mama wee at a funeral," said Avant. "She praised God." Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Elder Joe Williams, from Triumph Church in Naples, stands before a crowd to give the eulogy for "Mother" Annie Mae Perry during her funeral Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Willie Lee Perry, Jr. left, son of Annie Mae Perry is greeted by well wishers during his mother's funeral Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Maria Stone, author of "We Also Came," the story of the African American community in Collier County, pays her respects during the funeral of "Mother" Annie Mae Perry on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Elder Clovette Danzy, sings during the funeral of "Mother" Annie Mae Perry as others wait in line to speak about her on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Earlene Avant, center, daughter of Annie Mae Perry, is hugged by family and friends as she cries her mother's funeral on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. "She's the best earthly friend I ever had," said Avant about Mother Perry when she addressed the crowd of more than 500 people Saturday. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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A moment from the funeral of "Mother" Annie Mae Perry on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community, died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Earline Avant, second, from left, daughter of Annie Mae Perry, is held up by her family as she cries while looking in to the casket of her mother during Perry's funeral on Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. "She's the best earthly friend I ever had," said Avant about Mother Perry when she addressed the crowd of more than 500 people Saturday. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Elder Thomas Darden, center, from Triumph Church in Miami, and Elder Pam Sooknanine, right, from Triumph Church in Naples, sing and clap near the memorial photo of Mother Annie Mae Perry during the funeral Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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Elder Joe Williams, from Triumph Church in Naples, stands before a crowd to give the eulogy for "Mother" Annie Mae Perry during her funeral Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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LaTonya Batalie, 14, a great-great granddaughter of Annie Mae Perry, looks up with tears in her eyes as she sings a song with Perry's other grand children during her funeral Saturday at New Hope Ministries in East Naples. Mother Perry, a matriarch and revered leader in the community died October 6 at the age of 98. More than 500 people attended her funeral that lasted 3 1/2 hours. Lexey Swall-Bobay/Staff
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