Kelley Mack Perkins

Kelley Mack Perkins, age 88, entered his heavenly home in the early morning hours of June 1, 2025. Mack was born on December 31, 1936, to Lathan Perkins and Flora (Jenkins) Perkins in Lamar Co., Alabama. Mack knew suffering early, losing both his mother and baby brother at a young age. Growing up as an only child, he spent much of his childhood living with his beloved grandparents. These were formative years for him, as he watched them model unconditional love and deep faith in Jesus Christ, amidst humble circumstances.

At age eight, he moved to Pritchard, Alabama and resided with his father and his stepmother Vera. During these years he spent a lot of time with his uncles, who were close to his age, and he had his very first job: pumping gas at a local gas station. He attended Vigor High School, where he played on the basketball team. A notable memory from this time for Mack was seeing a young Elvis Presley perform in his school’s gymnasium. After graduating from high school in 1954, he attended the University of Southern Mississippi, where he studied Math and was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, serving in a leadership position of House Manager.

He met the love of his life, Linda (Gober) Perkins, in college and they went on to marry in 1960 in Gulfport, MS. Mack’s first job after college was working as computer programmer/operator at Brookley Field in Mobile, AL He later served in positions at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, before eventually taking a managerial position in 1974 at Gunter Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL, where he served for more than thirty years and retired with distinction. In Montgomery, he was a devoted member of Covenant Presbyterian Church for over forty years, serving as the church treasurer, a deacon, and an elder. He was usually the last one to lock up, and he was the first person someone would call if something was broken at the church or a problem needed to be fixed.

Mack found his purpose in caring for others, and his younger skills of management carried over well to the way he took care of his family, always asking good questions about the big plan and always keeping track of the tiniest details. He was a gentle man, who loved dancing with his wife Linda, enjoyed an occasional round of golf, and loved watching sports, especially Alabama football. Every spring, he planted his summer garden and patiently cared for it. He loved simple things like a sun-ripened tomato sandwich, cornbread in milk, watermelon with salt, singing hymns in the church choir, and cooking fresh beans on the stove. He loved being outside, whether it be sitting under the shade of his oak trees and admiring his large, freshly cut yard, planting flowers alongside Linda, or taking a trip to enjoy the natural beauty of the Smoky Mountains.

He took great pride in his eight grandchildren, always wanting to make sure that each were doing well and had everything they needed. Mack was a committed husband to his wife Linda for 64 years, through all the ups and downs of life. Linda cared for him faithfully, especially during the last years of his life as his health began to deteriorate, and their bond was strong and clear, even up to the last day of his earthly life.

Mack is predeceased in death by his parents Lathan and Flora, and his stepmother Vera. Mack is survived by his wife, Linda, his son, Gregory Mack (Linda) of Birmingham, AL, his two daughters, Kelley Chavar (Miguel) of Birmingham, AL, and Melissa Campbell (Matt) of Nashville, TN, his four grandsons, Michael, Jack, Lewis, and Redding, and his four granddaughters, Caroline, Sarah, Isabella, and Rosalie. Mack is also survived by his cousin Shelby Freise of Sandy Springs, Georgia, sisters-in-law Frances of Fort Walton Beach, FL, and Charlotte (Larry) of Oxford, MS, brother-in-law, Ken of Lake Jackson, TX and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held on Friday, June 6, at 3 pm at Leak Memory Chapel in Montgomery, AL. Visitation will be held beginning at 2 pm, with service at 3 pm.