On Wednesday December 15, 2021, Rita AnnaMarie Perny (Mueller), a devoted wife and lover of animals, passed away at the age of 94. Rita was born on January 6, 1927 in Germany, where she spent her childhood.

She traveled to the United States with her family as a young adult, became a U.S. citizen and settled in Florida, where she and her sisters owned a beauty salon. It was here that she met her husband, Joe Perny. Rita and Joe were married on February 13, 1963. They moved to Hohenwald in the early 1970’s, where Joe owned and operated a sign painting business until his passing on December 9, 1988.

Rita was known for her kind and humble heart. She was active in the First United Methodist Church of Hohenwald, The German Chorus, The Saddle Club, and the Lewis County Museum. She actively helped to raise funds to build a shelter for animals of Lewis County. Those funds were instrumental in founding the High Forest Humane Society which is soon to open an animal shelter in Lewis County.

She is survived by nieces Christine Mueller and Caroline Hurry and nephews Gottfried Brown and Robert Mueller, all of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Joe, and eight brothers and sisters.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Donations in her memory may be made to: High Forest Humane Society P.O. Box 686, Hohenwald, TN 38462.