Child Who Had Early Christmas In 1952 Is Dead

Death came Sunday for Perry Lee Runnels, plucky eight-year old Mt. Vernon lad-who fought gamely against an incurable ailment for more than four years.

Perry Lee, son of Mr. and Mrs. Carl C. Runnels, died at 9:10 a.m. Sunday at the family home, 805 south 12th street.

On June 17, 1952 - almost four years ago - the child underwent a delicate brain operation in St. Louis. For six weeks afterwards he remained unconscious. Perry Lee, his parents said, had a malignant tumor of the brain.

On August 20, 1952 his parents brought him home from the St. Louis hospital. He was given regular X-ray treatments but his condition steadily worsened, causing his parents to despair of his recovery.

A happy and intelligent youngster. Perry Lee had his fun like other children most of the time. There were times, however, when his condition caused him terrible pain. Christmas came early for Perry Lee in that year of 1952, when his parents began to fear that his death might occur before Christmas Day.

It was on October 22 - two months before Christmas - that the Runnels family put up a Christmas tree and every day was Christmas Day for Perry Lee up to-and including December 25. In the intervening years Perry Lee's condition was good on some days, very critical on others. On many occasions he was given oxygen to prolong his life.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. at the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Cecil Robbins and W. W. Colvin will officiate and burial will be in Kirk cemetery. The body will remain at the Pulley Funeral Home, where friends of the family may call at any time.

Perry Lee was born June 18, 1947 in Mt. Vernon, the son of Carl C. and Marie (Russo) Runnels.

Besides his parents, he is survived by four brother, James C, Carl F., Kenneth E. and Joseph P., and two sisters, Mary Catherine and Sue Ann, all at home.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register-News
Date: Monday, March 12, 1956
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman