Merry Lucille (Benjamin) Perkins of Williamston, age 68, passed away on December 1, 2021. She was born on November 6, 1953 in Garberville, California, to Clark and Kathleen (Patterson) Benjamin. Merry was a long-time employee of the State of Michigan from 1972 until her retirement in 2008, having served in the Department of Human Services, as well as the State Budget Office. Merry was devoted to her family and friends having created many long-standing memories at their home in Williamston, frequent game nights with friends, and numerous vacations, including too many softball tournaments to count. Through the years, Merry served as team manager and score keeper for the Cruddie Buddies softball team, where she took pride in keeping their batting averages low. Merry was also an avid quilter who enjoyed making gifts for her family and friends, in addition to attending craft retreats and sewing with her quilt group. Recently, she was active in making Quilts of Valor for military veterans. Merry was an avid reader and enjoyed her canine companions, including her most recent dog, Jackson.
Merry is survived by her husband of 49 years, Richard J. Perkins; daughters Stephanie (Paul) Conner, Angela (Daniel) Harki, and Alexis (Brian) Bond; grandchildren Caleb, Cara, and Colin Bond, Tyler and Paige Harki; her siblings Mark (Patricia) Benjamin, Jenny (Mark) Foote, Kim Woods, and sister-in-law Stacie Benjamin; and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, brother Clark Benjamin, and brother in-law Larry Woods.
Merry’s family will receive friends at the Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home, 205 East Middle St, Williamston, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Monday December 13, 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Merry’s name to The Quilts of Valor Foundation www.qovf.orf/donate
