James Perkins Sr.

Deacon James Perkins Sr. was born on August 8, 1925 and went home to the Lord on February 13, 2019. Deacon Perkins was 93. He was the eleventh of thirteen children from his parents Prince Albert and Priscilla Perkins. James grew up in Donelson, Tennessee and later moved with his family to Brentwood, TN. He confessed his belief in Christ at an early age and joined Brentwood Baptist Church. James attended Brentwood Elementary School. The family sharecropped on a tobacco farm. James joined the United States Army in 1944 and was Honorably Discharged in 1946. He returned to Tennessee to live and work in Nashville were he met Hattie Cathlene Johnson. The two were married and moved to Indianapolis in 1948 after a short stay in Chicago. James and Hattie(deceased), had seven children. Throughout his life, James had many employments to support his family, including: Kingham/Hygrade Meat Packing Company, WABCO Westinghouse Air Brakes Co, Flanner and Buchannan Funeral Home and St. Vincent Hospital Corporation, finally retiring in 1985. He worked part-time for Lazarus department store until 1990.James was a faithful follower of Christ and totally dedicated to service in the church. He was a member of Mount Lebanon Primitive Baptist Church were he served as Deacon. He also, served as a church treasurer and sang in the choir. In his later years, after Mt. Lebanon was closed, Deacon Perkins joined Trinity CME Church where all his children are members. He loved his fellowship with the Trinity CME Church Family and looked forward to gospel singing and the preached word. Deacon Perkins instilled in his children a solid belief in God and a strong work ethic. Both his parents, and stepmothers-Addie and Ella-have preceded his home going. His siblings:brothers, Daniel, Albert, Hayes and Andrew; sisters, Johnnie Mae, Josephine, Louise, Willie Mae, Addie, Emma and Myrtle have also been called home to heaven. He has left to morn his passing, a brother, Howard-Sulsan City, CA; his children Janet Ann, James Jr.(Cynthia), Jerome Andrew, Joseph Major(Sharon), Jacqulean Renee Douglas, Johnathan Lynn, and Jason Earl; Juanita Cantrell, his companion for over thirty years, and his very close nephew Clarence Kissach; 15 grandchildren, a host of great grandchildren, and many other relatives and friends. Deacan Perkins enjoyed a life well lived.