Its with a heavy heart that we relay the news to you that G Clef's mother passed away last Saturday night in her sleep. She was a great friend to me personally and to this band as a whole. Here is G Clefs eulogy to his mother.
Some of you may not know, but my mother passed away in her sleep on Saturday. I
know how much she meant to all of you, so I am forwarding her obituary. If you can
make it to the service, great; if not , I totally understand. Thank all of you for
being the friends you are.
Amanda Bowens Perdew, 61, of Ellenwood, Georgia, slipped away in her sleep Saturday,
December 16, 2006 at Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta after a long and courageous
battle with cancer. She was the third child born to Glen "Gant" Bowens and the
former Rosetta Blount on August 16, 1945. After her mother died of complications
during the birthing process, Amanda was raised by her paternal aunt Amanda Bowens
Foster on McCoy Street in Americus, Georgia. In Americus, she was affectionately
known as "Boot," referring to the fact that her first crib was a boot box (since she
was so small due to premature birth).
At a young age, Amanda joined Big Bethel Missionary Baptist Church in Americus,
Georgia where she was in the choir. Her faith in her personal savior Jesus Christ
remained unwavering throughout her life and illness.
While still attending Sumter County High School in Americus, Amanda became an
activist in the Civil Rights Movement and joined the Student Non-Violent
Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She attended rallies and protests and went to jail
standing up for people’s rights. Within the Movement, she served as a songleader and
member of the Americus Trio, which sang protest songs to inspire and support people
trying to abolish segregation throughout the South.
After her marriage to John Perdew on December 23, 1964, the couple lived in Boston,
MA and then settled in Atlanta, Georgia. Mrs. Perdew primarily stayed at home to
raise her two children, Glen and Tasha, but continued to be active in social causes
and worked various jobs including as a professional photographer.
Known affectionately to many as "Mama Perdew," she inspired and mentored countless
young people whom she adopted as part of her extended family. A gifted story teller,
she was invited to Howard and Duke Universities to participate in historical
accounts of the Movement. She also was honored at the Smithsonian Institute and
invited to visit the White House along with other songleaders and songwriters who
were part of the musical history of the movement.
During her fight with cancer, Mrs. Perdew continued to reach out to provide love and
support to others even during her own suffering. Survivors include: children
Virginia Natasha Perdew Silas (spouse Kendal) and Glen P T Perdew (spouse Monica);
sister-in-law Walter Mae Bowens; nephew Eugene Bowens, Jr.; great niece Cathy
Denson; three grandchildren Korey and Nina Silas, and Bryson Bailey Perdew; and many
extended grandchildren including Taylor Silas, Jahmad and Jada Ware, Dennis Lanier,
Sanai and Massaiah Daniels.
A Memorial Service will be held on Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 6:00pm at the
Atlanta Friends Meeting House at 701 West Howard Avenue, Decatur, Georgia 30030.
Flowers for the memorial service or donations to the Saint Jude Children’s Research
Hospital in honor of Mrs Perdew’s support for care and research for children with
cancer would be welcome. Saint Jude may be reached at
www.tg.stjude.org or P.O. Box
50, Memphis, TN 38101
http://www.tg.stjude.org.
