Lynn Perkins Perez

Peggy "Lynn" Perkins was born on August 25, 1946, in Bunkie, LA. She entered eternal rest on March 9, 2025, at the age of 78. Widow of the late Chalin O. Perez and daughter of the late Gloria Brisolara Perkins and David Mechling Perkins. Survived by her four children, Chalyn David Perez (Ann), Kathlyn Perez Bethune (Beau), Cherielyn Perez Russell (Lawerence), and Carlyn Octave Perez (Katie).

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Ava Grace Perez, Katherine Elise Perez, Thomas Jackson Bethune V ("Penn"), Bishop Chalin Bethune, Larson Mechling Russell, Annabel Agnes Russell, Chalin Brooks Perez, and Blake Lynn Perez; her sister, Kathryn Perkins Randall (widow of Craig W. Randall) and her nephews, Kevin Randall (Carrie Beth) and David Randall (Daria), and great nieces and nephews, Katie Randall, Allie Randall, Donovan Randall, and Dexter Randall. She is also survived by two stepchildren, Robert Henry Perez (Donna) and their children, Robert Henry Perez Jr. (Natalie) and their children, Liam and Henry Perez, and Christina Perez May (Corey) and their children, Helen and Jane May; and Mary Perez Chatry (Mark) and their children, Adaire C. O'Brien (Ed) and their children, Lucy, Jude, and Nora O'Brien; Margaret C. Borne (Brett) with their children, Lex and Luis Borne; Lt Cmdr. Peter Chatry; and Michele C. Cass (Andrew) and their son, Christopher Cass. She is also survived by two special Godchildren, Patrick Little (Jeannelle) and Patra M. Coco.

Lynn attended Sacred Heart School of Moreauville through second grade, Moreauville High School through eighth grade, and graduated from Providence Central Catholic High School in Alexandria. She was elected as a student representative at Pelican Girls State, was Providence Class Representative, Miss Howdy Doody, and was part of the sports club. Lynn served as Student Council President her freshman year, setting her leadership path. Lynn taught swimming from 8th grade until she finished teaching and qualifying lifeguards during the summers.

Lynn thereafter attended LSU-Alexandria, where she was elected student government President and was selected as Miss LSUA. She transferred to LSU Baton Rouge, where she was elected president of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and obtained a BS in speech education. Lynn graduated from LSU Law School in 1970, where she served as a member of the Moot Court Board and was later elected President of the LSU Law School Alumni Association. Lynn obtained an MBA from Tulane University in 1984.

Lynn was recognized locally and nationally for her leadership and accomplishments; she was named “Young Career Woman of the Year” by the Alexandria Business and Professional Women Chapter and to the list of “Outstanding Young Women in America” in 1971. She was one of the first 100 female lawyers in the State of Louisiana.

Throughout her life, she was active in and supportive of 4-H. As a young lady, she showed beef steers and showed and rode quarter horses. She enjoyed the honor of serving as a speaker of the Simmesport Methodist Church when the pastor was out of town and her dad was on the board. She was a devout Catholic, served as president of the board of Catholic Charities, and was a member of the Assumption of Our Lady Mission Catholic Church in Braithwaite. She also served as the Chairman of the Avoyelles Red Cross.

As an attorney, Lynn began work with the Avoyelles District Attorney Charles Riddle, Sr. Thereafter, she became a sole practitioner in her hometown of Moreauville. She was Chairman of the Avoyelles Parish Bar Association. She handled criminal cases and civil cases involving the custody of children and the drafting of Last Wills and Testaments or trusts. In 1972, Lynn was elected to the Louisiana Constitutional Convention from Avoyelles (CC'73) and helped to draft a new Louisiana Constitution. She met her husband, Chalin Octave Perez, at CC'73. Lynn served on the Aquaculture Committee, and Chalin served on the Local Government Committee. After marrying, she moved to Braithwaite, where she practiced in the area of succession and served as a trusted community lawyer and philanthropist.

The Perez family would like to thank all the caregivers and staff who cared for and comforted her over the last 13 years.

The Perez family invites friends and family to celebrate her life at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans, on Friday, March 14, 2025, with a visitation from 9:00 am to 11:00 am, and the Funeral Mass at 11:00 am. The interment will follow the Mass in Metairie Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation in Lynn's memory to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

To view and sign the online guest book, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com.