The Funeral Service for Mr. Claude Perkins will be held Sunday, December 10, 2023, at 2:00 P.M. at Brown Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Hwy 224, Montezuma, Georgia. Interment will follow in the Brown Chapel Cemetery.
Claude Franklin Perkins was born May 27, 1945, in Montezuma, Georgia to Norman Perkins, Sr., and Bessie Lee Sneed Perkins. He was the eighth of twelve siblings. Claude attended D. F. Douglass High School. He continued his education into farming and running the family farm business. When it came to farming, Claude was the “Big Time Operator” (BTO). Claude Perkins, Sr., was a family farmer in Montezuma, Georgia. He was innovative with farming and took part in the agricultural foreign student exchange program at Fort Valley State University. He taught students from West Africa and Central America.
Claude married Annie Laura Brown on August 22, 1966, and to this union three children were born. In 1980, Claude and his wife moved to Atlanta, Georgia and started their business, Perkins Auto Recycling. The Perkins family became very successful and profitable in developing their business. He set trends and standards in the way that the auto recycling business is done today. Their business became well-known in the city of Atlanta and the State of Georgia. It was seen and heard on radio, television, and the internet all around the Southeastern United States. Mr. Perkins’ success and magnanimous personality allowed him to be a leader amongst men where he inspired and taught many entrepreneurs the art and innovative concepts of auto recycling. There are many auto recycling entrepreneurs that began and became successful in the industry as a result of Mr. Perkins’ influence.
After the passing of his wife, Claude devoted his time every week visiting with his sister, Lena “Tiny” Johnson and his other siblings in Montezuma. They enjoyed a weekly rabbit breakfast. He loved his baby sister dearly and was so fond of her cooking. He also enjoyed going to the casino and enjoyed and loved people. Family was extremely important to Claude. He loved his family and adored helping them grow and have a better quality of life.
Besides his business aspirations, his one-of-a-kind personality and flamboyant conversation made him loved by many because he never met a stranger. He was a shining light amongst the people. He was a leader of men and constituency.
He was a father figure to his great-nephews and nieces: Kelsey Perkins, Bromeikus King, “Soulja Boys” Najee and Tevin Johnson, Meredith Hodo, Janet (John) Taylor, Bruce Palmer, Shaxda Little, Raven Perkins and Candice Johnson.
Claude departed this life on November 28, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Annie Laura Perkins, son, Claude Perkins, Jr., daughter, Cordelia Stewart, and six siblings: Carrie Palmer, Edith Davis, Cindy Sullins, Norman Perkins, Jr., Norma Jackson, Bessie Leary and Jerome Perkins (his baby brother).
He leaves precious memories with his loving son, Keefer (Miranda) Perkins; loving daughter, Shontanette (Robert) Barber; grandchildren: Keefer Diaz Perkins, Miya Barber, Ka’myra Perkins, Nasir Baber, Derrick Ivory, Claudette Larry, Domonique Larry and DeCarius Larry; several great grandchildren; his loving and devoted siblings: Lena “Tiny Sister” Johnson, Richard Perkins, Ernest Perkins, Sr., Sharon Perkins and Lillian Butler; his devoted brothers-in law and sisters-in-law: Eula Brown, Kay (Gerald) Nugget, Willie (Glen) Ragin, Sylinda (Mike) Dodson, Cordelia “Billie” Perkins, Beatrice Lester and Essie Dennis; a devoted cousin, Melvin Sneed; his adopted sons: Kevin “California” Fowler and Larry Potter; his adopted brother and work partner for over twenty-five years, Peso; his devoted friends: Eli Ray Weaver and Mohit Mahajab; the Brown Family; other loving relatives and friends.