John Perkins

John Perkins, Jr., 86, of Morganton, NC died Saturday, January 11, 2014. Born in Burke County, NC on April 16, 1927, he was the son of the late John Perkins, Sr. and Hettye Taylor Perkins. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and was a faithful, lifetime member of Zion Baptist Church. John served as a deacon, choir member, and director of the church choir. He retired from Bellsouth after 32 years and was an avid coon hunter.Mr. Perkins is survived by his wife of 64 years, Alice Whisnant Perkins; a daughter, Susan Perkins Hudson and her husband, Todd, of Hickory, NC; grandchildren, Asia Hudson Cockerham and her husband, Adam, and Haven Hudson, all of Greensboro, NC; a brother, Ned Perkins of Morganton; a sister-in-law, Vera Ollis of Morganton; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Joe and Dorothy Whisnant of Morganton; special nieces, Donna Robinson and Janet Wease and her husband, Bill; and many other special nieces and nephews.In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Ann Carole Perkins; two brothers, Harold Perkins and Charles Perkins (his twin); and a sister, Mabel Perkins Parker.The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Monday, January 13, 2014 at Zion Baptist Church with Rev. David Orders, Dr. Steve Parker, and Dr. Ralph May officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors provided by the N.C. National Guard. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Zion Baptist Church, 3396 Pea Ridge Road, Morganton, NC 28655 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.