Virginia Lee Perkins

Mrs. Virginia Lee McFadden Perkins slipped into the arms of her heavenly Father on Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 8:30 am. It was the end of a painful journey and the beginning of a new life in Jesus Christ.
She was born in Rock Hill, SC on November 3, 1935 to Joseph Clark McFadden and Mary Elizabeth McFadden. Her early years were spent in Rock Hill and in Charlotte, NC. She attended schools in Charlotte and graduated from East Mecklenburg High School with honors. She was a member of the Beta Club and was elected Most Poplar in her Senior High School Class of 1954. After graduation, she went to work for Southern Bell. She was recruited because of her ability to play basketball where she continued with distinction.
She was an active member of her home church, St. Johns’ Methodist Church in Charlotte. She was a member of the Youth Fellowship and the Official Board. She had lots of friends and her life was a blessing to many. On December 17, 1955 she married Rev. Merrill Perkins, a Methodist minister. They served the church and the ministry of Jesus Christ for the next 59 years. People loved her and she was able to serve in the churches effectively because of her many talents and abilities. She could play the piano for Sunday School and worship or preach a sermon and “out preach the preacher”. Virginia earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Garner Webb University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude of her class. She taught first grade in various schools in NC and retired from Mallard Creek Elementary School in Charlotte in 1998.
Virginia loved her home and family, especially her three grandchildren who could do no wrong. It was not uncommon for them to bring their friends and the friend of a friend home with them and our home was often filled to overflowing. We sat around the kitchen table and told stories of things which had happened to us along the way. There were games of all kinds played and sometimes the competition was fierce. She loved to cook and there was always a snack or two lying around for young appetites. She helped us to love and celebrate life. She loved to keep our family traditions alive. It was not uncommon at all to host 35-40 family members at Thanksgiving and Christmas. And she would have it no other way. She did all the cooking and decorating herself. There were picnics and weeks at the mountains and the beach.
The church and her faith were central to her life. She was, above all, a faithful Christian. She was finally a faithful caretaker to many in her family. Many experienced her loving hand which comforted them in their affliction. Some of them even lived in our home with us. We were blessed with a wonderful, extended family. In her caring for others, she lived out the words of Paul when he wrote this in Galatians, “let us bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ”. She also cared for her husband Merrill through six surgeries and other health issues. People continued to call upon her as a “listening ear”, who would share in their sorrows and give them sound advice.
Those left to cherish Virginia’s memory are her husband, Rev. Merrill Perkins; daughters, Dawn Hoppes and husband, Tony of Mocksville and Cheryl Kerlak and husband, Frank of Stanley; grandchildren, Elizabeth Hoppes Dean, Austin and Carly Kerlak; sister, Irene Price of Knoxville, TN and several nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate Virginia’s life will be held at Ann Street United Methodist Church, 335 Ann Street NW, Concord, NC at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 21, 2016. Reverend Randy Wall, Pastor of Ann Street Church and the Reverend Doctor Harold Bales will officiate. Visitation will be held after the worship service in the fellowship hall. Burial will be a private ceremony for the family.
Virginia’s family wants to thank everyone, including the staff of Hospice of Cabarrus County, for their acts of kindness and love throughout her illness and homegoing.
Memorials may be made to Ann Street United Methodist Church, 335 Ann Street NW, Concord, NC 28025 or to Hospice of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.