POWHATAN, March 12 – James Henry Perkins, of Powhatan, died unexpectedly at his residence on Monday, March 11, 2013. He was born April 18, 1931 in Danville. Mr. Perkins served his country in the United States Navy. He is retired from the Department of Corrections (Powhatan) and started working at the Cumberland Restaurant after his retirement and was still working there up until his death. Mr. Perkins was a member and Deacon at Muddy Creek Baptist Church.

He is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, James and Kelly Perkins of Powhatan; three grandchildren, Joshua Perkins and wife, Stephanie, Jarad Perkins, and Sarah Beth Perkins all of Powhatan; five great-grandchildren, Dylon, Austyn and Nataleigh, Cheyanne and Camryn Perkins; sister, Barbara Hinson of Hickory, North Carolina; a special cousin, Betty Bowman of Keysville; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Henry Perkins and Minnie Pearl Black, his wife, Zell Adams Perkins and sisters, Esther Woods, Marie Parlier and Sarah Gammon.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 14, at 3 p.m. at the Chapel of Shorter Funeral Home with interment to follow in Trinity Memorial Gardens in Rice.

Family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 13, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Powhatan Rescue Squad.

Shorter Funeral Home, Farmville, is serving the family. www.shorterfuneralhome.com