One of Carrollton's most respected citizens is Pearl Perry Gravley. She has lived on Perry Road all her life.  Pearl was born on June 18, 1889, at what is now 1509 Perry Road and presently lives at 1106 Perry Road. Her parents were Dewitt C. and Francis (Grimes) Perry, prominent Carrollton land-owners and benefactors. Grandparents, Alexander W. and Sarah (Hoffman) Perry, settled in Carrollton in 1844.

School for Pearl began in a one-room school building near Merico, Inc., on what is now Country Club Drive in Carrollton. She often walked to school along the Cotton Belt Railroad tracks from Perry Road to Josey Lane with schoolmates Amy (Myers) Squibb, Sally (Fyke) Myers, and Minnie Belle (Perry) Robertson. Later, the school was moved to the intersection of College and Erie streets. One of the teachers at the school was Miss Minnie Thorp. Miss Thorp's father operated an early version of the school bus. In bad weather, Mr. Thorp hitched his mules to a covered wagon, and drove from Fyke Road to the school, picking up children on the way.

At school, Pearl met a young dandy who rode his mule to school from Farmers Branch. This young man, William Arthur Gravley, often escorted her home from school, leading his mule. The courtship included roller skating at the local skating rink and moonlight rides in Arthur's buggy.

After attending Dallas Baptist College for about one and one-half years, Pearl left college to become Mrs. William Arthur Gravley.  The wedding, June 26, 1907, was reported in the local newspaper as follows:

A pretty church wedding was solemnized at the Methodist Church at this place Wednesday night of this week at 8:45 o'clock. The contracting parties were Miss Pearl Perry and Mr. Arthur Gravley. Rev. Chas. Dennis, formerly of Farmers Branch, was the officiating clergyman who tied the nuptial knot pronouncing the ceremony which united the lives of these estimable young people.
The Church had been previously decorated and, long before the appointed hour, was filled to overflowing with admiring relatives and friends of the contracting parties. Promptly at 8:45 to the music of the wedding march played by Miss Sallie Butler and who was escorted to the organ by Mr. Homer Padgett, the wedding party entered the door of the church.
First came four little flower girls, scattering flowers from the door to the altar. Then came Messrs. King Butler and Earl Gravley, who took their position on either side of the alter. Then came Mr. Alex Butler and Miss Essie Gravley, who were followed by Mr. Alex Perry and Miss Addie Gravley, all of whom acted as attendants. Then came the bride and groom who took their places under a beautiful arch of evergreens and roses, supported by ribbon fastened to either side of the church.
After the ceremony, the wedding party, together with a number of invited guests, spent the remainder of the evening in a social manner at the home of the bride's parents, where congratulations were showered and nice refreshments served.
Mesdames J. S. Padgett, E. W. Burnett, E. W. Broadhurst, J. C. Davis, Dave Bailey and S. M. Kennedy deserve special mention for the beautiful and appropriate manner in which the church was decorated.
The bride is the only child of Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Perry of near town. She is a young lady of many graces of mind and person, who is capable of filling the home she will still adorn with happiness and will prove to be truly a helpmate and companion to the husband she has chosen.
The groom is a son of Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Gravley of near Farmers Branch and is from one of our best families, and by those who know him he is considered one of the substantial and coming young men of the community.
The congratulations on the happy pair are numerous and this paper is greatly pleased on this occasion to add its hearty good wishes to those being so freely extended.
Mr. and Mrs. Gravley will make their home with Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Perry.

Pearl and Arthur soon set up housekeeping at what is now 1104 N. Perry Road.  Ten children, nine still living, were born at this location.  Most of the children were born in the white frame house which still stands. Children are: Thurmand, Beatrice, Lee, Frances, Dorothy, Wilton, Evelyn, Joe, and Milburn. Pearl now has (at last count) 25 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren.

First United Methodist Church in Carrollton has been a vital part of Pearl's life since she became a member 65 years ago. Dressing nine children from church was always a problem -- and sometimes getting them home again was an even bigger problem. Joe was once accidentally left at the church after Sunday night services. He peacefully played with the preacher's children until mother and dad returned for him.

Vacation trips have been varied, including travel to Bonham in a wagon, to Galveston in a Model T, and to Hawaii, Philippines, Japan, and Alaska in a jet airplane at the age of 81 !

Pearl loves Carrollton and has made her own permanent impression on the city. Her many contributions to Carrollton include a recent gift of ten acres of land which was homestead by A. W. Perry 129 years ago. Also on the site is the home of her parents Dewitt and Francis (Aunt Fannie) Perry, built in 1907. The property will be developed by the City of Carrollton into the Pearl Perry Gravley Park. The home will be restored by the Bicentennial Commission and named the A. W. Perry Homestead Museum. Other contributions include land given to the First United Methodist Church.

Pearl Gravley follows in the footsteps of her ancestors as a booster and benefactor to Carrollton.

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Some family connections became so involved they almost defy explanation -- much less leave you with the ability to say exactly how some of your kin was kin. This is the way it was with the families of Franklin Perry, William Huffman, and John Witt of Greene County, Illinois. Their children intermarried as follows:

Malinda Perry m. Franklin Witt
Rebecca Perry m. William P. Witt
Alexander W. Perry m. Sarah Huffman
Harriett Huffman m. Preston Witt
John Huffman m. Elizabeth Ellis (a Witt granddaughter)
Middleton Perry m. Ellen Ellis (a Witt granddaughter)

Pearl and Arthur Gravley with children Beatrice, Thurmond, and Lee. 1913