Mother Perkins

PERKINS, Mother Deborah (Phinisee) - Age 77, went home to be with her Heavenly Father, Friday, July 22, 2011 at Hurley Medical Center. Family hour 11 a.m. Saturday July 30, 2011 at Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3502 Lapeer Rd., with funeral service commencing at 12Noon Rev. Marvin Jennings, Host Pastor, Supt. Samuel Marsh, Officiating. Interment Sunset Hills Cemetery, G-4413 Flushing Rd. Friends and pallbearers will assemble at the church 11 a.m. Saturday. Mother Perkins will lie in state in the Chapel of Lawrence E. Moon Funeral Home, and may be viewed from 1-8 p.m. Friday. Mother Perkins was born August 15, 1933 in Darlove, Mississippi, the daughter of Elder Cleveland and Mother Isabell Phinisee. She accepted Christ at an early age at the Church of God in Hollandale, MS under the leadership of Bishop T.J. Bell. Mother Perkins met and married Solomon Perkins, Jr. on January 19, 1953 and remained married until his death in 1997. They moved to Flint, MI and united with New Covenant C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Elder Felix Earley. Mother Perkins was currently a faithful member of Civic Heights C.O.G.I.C. under the leadership of Supt. Samuel Marsh, where she served as Church Mother, Junior Choir Leader, Sunday School, Purity Class and YWCC Teacher. She also served in the Outreach Department of the church. Mother Perkins enjoyed baking, gardening and helping anyone in need. She was a true example of a “Virtuous Woman” as described in Proverbs 31. Mother Deborah (Phinisee) Perkins leaves to cherish her memory: 4 daughters, Jacqueline (Ron) Richardson, Cynthia Houston, Sandra (Joe) Thompson, Jr., and Lanette (Terrence) Redmond; 2 sons, Kenneth and Cedric Perkins, all of Flint; special daughter, Patricia Martin; special son, Corey Wilson; 13 grandchildren, Cherra Timberlake-Blount, Harold III, Janelle Timberlake, Nehemiah Houston, JaTonda, Joe III, Shaquela Thompson, Kenneth Meniefield, Jeremi, Joshua, Terrence II, Aijalon and Nicole Redmond; 24 great-grandchildren; 3 sisters, Doris Collins, Lestine (Petros) Gheresus and Margaret (Victor) Gonzalez, all of Flint; 4 brothers, Cleveland Phinisee, Jr., Pastor Fred (Sarah) Phinisee, both of Indianapolis, IN, Pastor John (Gwen) Phinisee and David James (Helen) Phinisee of Flint; 3 sisters-in-law, Hattie Smart of Chicago, IL, Catherine McKinley of Key Largo, FL and Johnnie Mae Tye of Racine, WI; 4 brothers-in-laws, Alvin (Linda) Perkins of Dyersburg, TN, Leroy (Linda) Perkins of Grand Blanc, MI, John (Melonie) Perkins and Harry (Bell) Perkins, all of Flint; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends including godchildren, Joy Hargett and Jamarx Marsh, Civic Heights C.O.G.I.C. family, Charity Blanchard and family, Alma Street family, Rochdale Dr. Block Club, Attorney David S. Grant, Jr. and Harold Timberlake, Jr. Mother Perkins was preceded in death by her husband, Solomon Perkins, Jr.; son, Melvin Perkins; parents, Elder Cleveland and Isabell Phinisee; 4 brothers; and 5 sisters. The family would like to express special thanks to Care providers, Margaret Gonzalez, Marlo Thompson and Texanner Burkett for all of the love, care and concern given during her illness. Dr. Aram Minisian and staff, Hurley Medical Center 9E, CCU and ICU staffs and Attorney Loyst Fletcher.

Mother Perkins

August 15, 1933 - July 22, 2011