Leon Perkins

Leon Perkins, 80, of Jonesboro died Monday December 27, 2010 with family. He was born in Bono, and lived most of his life in Jonesboro. He was partner owner/operator, with his brothers, of Perkins Body Shop at Weiner, then owner/operator of Perkins Grocery & Station for 20 years. He was in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and later served in the Army National Guard, lifetime member of the Masonic Lodge #677, and member of Scottish Rite Valley of Jonesboro. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and also loved stock car racing and horses. He was a member of the Big Creek Valley Missionary Baptist Church. He married the love of his life January 17, 1962.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Christine McMurtery Perkins, one son Bryon Keith Perkins, two brothers, Lavaughn and Clifford Perkins, two sisters, Nell Mae McGrath and Martha Strickland.

He is survived by his loving wife of 48 years, Ruby Perkins of the home; one son James Perkins (Tammy) of Jonesboro; two daughters Kathy Lowery (Bobby) of Jonesboro and Becky Scherer (Bill) of Bartonville, Texas; one sister Hazel Strickland of Jonesboro; two nieces Treva Miller and Martha Jean Prince; five nephews Jerry D. Strickland Jr., Mike McGrath, Rocky Strickland, Wayne Perkins, and Steven Perkins; and six grandchildren, Destiny, Brianna, Alston, Brooke, Brandon, and Bailey.

Funeral Services will be 1:30 P.M. Friday December 31, 2010 at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Wyndell King and Rev. David Scott officiating. Burial will be at Trinity Cemetery, with Emerson Funeral Home in charge.

Pallbearers will be Richard Gambill, Mike Knoles, Wayne Brown, Jerry Kostner and Darrell Gifford.

Honorary pallbearers will be Charles Sheets, Pee Wee Cline, Dr. Meredith Walker, Arlis Cook, J.L. Cook, Arkansas Glass Container truck drivers, Nettleton, Jonesboro, Weiner Masonic Lodge and Jonesboro Grain Drier Employees.

Visitation will be Thursday 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Family requests that lasting memorials be made to the Trinity Cemetery Association in care of Ronald Coleman, 116 Craighead 328, Bono, 72416.