Charlene Apperson Obituary
Perky (Charlene Marie Gossett) was born in Fullerton, CA to Dorothy Mae and Glenn Bircher. Perky grew up riding her favorite horse, Lightning through orange groves in Downey and Covina. Perky's bright spirit emerged early in her life and only grew stronger over time. Her inquisitive mind and compassionate nature were fostered at Downey High and later West Covina High School.
Lifetime friendships continued at Pomona College. Perky became a French Major and studied in Geneva, Switzerland her junior year. Her senior year she met the love of her life, Ron Apperson.
Two lives were changed forever while Ron studied at (spell out?) CGS. Perky, then a senior at Pomona College, says, "she was swept off her feet by the intelligent, handsome, kind and highly -ethical guy". They dated, were engaged within 3 months, and married in June 1958.
The young couple joined an intern program at UC
Berkeley for a General Secondary credential and immediately taught high school: Perky, French, at Alameda High and Ron, History at Berkeley High. While living in the Bay area, Ron decided on a career and he earned a JD at Boalt School of Law in Berkeley while Perky continued teaching French. Baby Terry Anne was born during this time (1961), as was Jill Marie (1963). The family moved to West Covina. In 1966 baby Annette Adele was born. Perky was a devoted mother and wife. Creating fabulous dinners, gatherings, and trips for her family.
Perky's thirst for knowledge was a good match for her attorney and history major husband. As her children grew, Perky put her savy real estate mind to work. She excelled at sales of multi-family apartments in Los Angeles with Coldwell Banker and CBRE.
Perky and Ron shared their love of knowledge and the world with their children. Perky planned adventurous trips across North America for her family to see USA, Canada and Mexico. The family never will forget the adventurous motorhome trip across the USA in 1976 where Perky and her sister-in-law, Sandy Gossett, took 5 children under 13 and Perky's parents across the USA and back. Perky saw to it that her girls experienced the world, music, art and travel. As grandchildren arrived, she generously shared her love of life with all of them planning international trips and celebrating and decorating their beloved home for every holiday. She was a beloved wife, Mom and Nani.
Perky will always be our matriarch. She modeled everything good, kind, compassionate and loving. She understood the essence and value of life and gave the best advice and backrubs, ever. She was grace and humility wrapped in love. She will be dearly missed by: daughters Terry Anne Woodward (Maria), Jill Marie Apperson, and Annette Apperson Pelton; grandchildren Katelyn Kelly Woodward, Kimberly Woodward Egan (Brian), Christina Marie Lowry, Dana Nadine Lowry, John Clinton Manly V, Ronald Joseph Manly, Tara Nicole Pelton, Natalie Michelle Pelton, Sean Robert Pelton, and great-grandchildren: Emilia Rose Egan, June Harper Egan, and Griffin Jax Taylor-Lowry.
Perky was buried next to Ron at Rose Hills Cemetary on June 10th on their 66th wedding anniversary.
