Drs. Eula B. and Levi Perry

Dr. Levi V. Perry, 2000

Dr. Eula Perry

Though Levi and Eula Perry, both Houston physicians with private practices, went to the same high school, Phyllis Wheatly, and even graduated one year apart they did not officially meet until a summer school program brought them together at Texas Southern University. They both went to Howard University Medical School in Washington, D.C. The marriage has lasted for over 50 years, during which they raised 10 children, two of which are deceased. Of the eight living, one is a lawyer and the other seven are Board Certified physicians.

Dr. Eula Faye Perry was born in Houston, Texas where she grew up attending Houston Independent School District schools, graduating as valedictorian of the class of 1950 at Phyllis Wheatley High School. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Howard University in Washington, DC in 1954 and stayed on to complete an M.D. degree at Howard College of Medicine in 1961. She did her internship at Freedmen’s Hospital in DC and finished up with residency training in the field of Pediatrics back in her hometown of Houston at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Eula Perry is a former career medical rating specialist with the Veteran’s Administration Regional Office in Houston, where she received numerous awards for superior performance, served on the Board of Directors of the Federal Credit Union, and was chosen Career Woman of the Year in 1965. She is a former medical examiner in H.I.S.D. and is now retired from her private practice of Pediatrics.

Dr. Eula Perry has been actively involved in professional organizations for physicians and holds membership in the Harris County Medical Society, Texas Medical Association, American Medical Women’s Association, Houston Medical Forum, National Medical Association, and Houston Pediatric Society. She is the author of “Sweat Tests in Allergic Children,” based on original research and published in the American Journal of Diseases of Children in November 1961. On many occasions, she has addressed the women medical students at Baylor University College of Medicine and the University of Texas regarding the relationship of the practice of medicine to the coordination of family life. Through this outreach work and the fact that she raised 10 children to be successful individuals and professionals, Dr. Perry has served as a model to young people, especially women, showing them that balancing both a medical career and a family is possible.

Civic leadership and community service has also been important to Dr. Eula Perry. She was the First Grand Lady (President) of Court 159 Knights of St. Peter Claver, holds life membership in the YWCA, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and Jack and Jill of America, Inc. She is a former member of the St. John’s School Mother’s Guild, a former P.T.A. president at Lockhart Elementary School, has worked on the Eagle Scout Advancement Committee, and is a charter member of the Associates of the Museum of Fine Arts and the Ballet Guild of Houston. Some of Dr. Eula Perry’s honors include an achievement award from the Business and Professional Women of Houston in 1973, Diocesan Mother of the Year at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in 1976, Physicians Service Award by the National Council of Negro Women in 1977, and the Meritorious Service Award from Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority in 1982. Also in 1982, upon Papal approval from Rome, she and her husband were inducted into the Knights and Ladies of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Dr. Eula’s husband, Dr. Levi V. Perry, was born in Centerville, Texas and, like his wife, graduated from Phyllis Wheatley High School in Houston. From there, he went on to study Chemistry at Texas Southern University where he received his Bachelor of Science degree. To raise money for school Dr. Perry worked as a porter in Hughes Tool Company. Finally he attained his M.D. degree in Washington, DC at Howard University, and also completed an internship at Freedmen’s Hospital in DC. He returned to Houston for his residency in Internal Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, where he additionally had a fellowship in Cardiology, and became Board Certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Levi Perry is now Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine at Baylor, is former chairman of medicine and a member of the medical teaching staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital, and has a private practice in Cardiology at his office on Liberty Road in Houston.

Over the years, Dr. Levi Perry has been active in such organizations as: Harris County Medical Society, Houston Medical Forum, Texas Medical Association, National Medical Association, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He is also a former member of the Board of Trustees at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York, where one of his children attended school.

In March 2005, Drs. Levi and Eula Perry were honored for their many accomplishments and contributions to their community by the Knights of Peter Claver and Ladies Auxiliary, at their 13th Annual Recognition Luncheon and Fashion Gala, “Stepping Into Spring.”

Drs. Levi and Eula Perry had 10 children (pictured below), seven of which became doctors. The Perrys, in most recent years, have dedicated much of their devotion and energy as grandparents to their seven young grandchildren.