Z. T. Perdue, Jr., 93, died on Friday Nov. 1, 2013 at the Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community, where he had been in rehabilitation following a fall in September.
He was born on Nov. 24, 1919 in Rocky Mount, Va., to Nannie Bett and Zack T. Perdue Sr. After a brief stint working as a mortician, he built the Grove Drive-In Theater in 1950, in Nottoway County. Although the drive-in was his chief occupation, he also built and owned, at various times, a filling station, a golf driving-range, and an auto parts store. He retired when a strong storm toppled the screen at the drive-in in 1986.
A lifelong Republican, he helped establish the Nottoway County party office in the early 1960’s. He was a past president of the local Lion’s Club. He and his wife Edna were members of the Pryor Memorial Presbyterian Church, where he held a number of offices.
Z.T. is survived by his wife of 71 years, Edna Tucker Perdue, who still resides at the VMRC. He is also survived by his son Zack T. Perdue III and wife, Judy, of Harrisonburg, and his two grandchildren, Katherine Perdue of Fredericksburg and Michael Perdue, of Harrisonburg. Also surviving is his brother, Henry Perdue, currently living in California.
There will be a graveside service at 11 A.M. on Wednesday, Nov. 6, at the Lakeview Cemetery in Victoria, VA. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Pryor Memorial Presbyterian Church, 115 E. Tennessee Ave. Crewe, VA, 23930. The Browning-Duffer Funeral Home in Keysville, VA, is in charge of arrangements.
