5/19/2009
Mary Virginia (Jenkins) Perkins Harris’s Earthly journey peacefully ended May 19, 2009, in Tucson, Ariz.
The oldest of Frank and Lois (Overton) Jenkins’s seven children, she was born Feb.28, 1921, in Knoxville at her grandparent’s home on Montgomery St.
After graduation from Knoxville High School in 1939, she taught in various Marion County Rural Schools for 9 years. During World War H, Mary briefly worked as an Electrician Helper in Ogden, Utah.
Upon her return to Knoxville, she married Lonnie Boyd Perkey on July 23, 1944. They had 2 children, Mary Lynne and William Boyd. The couple farmed
in the Dunreath area until Dec. 1959, when they moved to Apache Junction, Ariz.
due to his health. Mary worked at the Post Office, retiring in 1980.
After Boyd’s
death she married Glen L. Harris on May 21, 1965. They enjoyed 36 wonderful years
together before Glen’s death in 2001. Following a heart attack in 2005, Mary moved
to Tucson in order to be near her daughter and son-in-law.
At the time of her death,
Mary was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church. Mary was a devout Christina,
her church being an important part of her life.
She is survived by her daughter,
Mary Lynne (Lee) DeMarinis of Tucson, Ariz.; her son William Boyd Perkey of Alexandria,
Va.; sister-in-law, Audrey Jenkins; two sisters, Frances Jones, and Jeanne Smith
of Knoxville; three brothers, John of Port Orange, Fla., Frank (Martha) Jenkins,
and Steve (Phyllis) Jenkins of Knoxville.
She is also survived by her grandchildren,
great-grandchildren, cousins, numerous nieces, and nephews, as well as friends and
Church family. Preceding her deaths were her step-daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte
and Homer Casey; a brother, William 0. Jenkins; brothers-in-law, Lyman Smith and
Leonard Jones.
The family wishes to thank The Court at Tucson where Mary resided
and Hospice Family Care for the excellent care, support, and love given to Mary and
her family. Services were held at her church in Tucson and Green Acres Cemetery
in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Memorials may be made to the American Parkinson’s Disease Association-Arizona
Chapter, Glad Tidings Assembly of God Church in Tucson, Ariz., or to the Hospice
Family Care in Tucson, Ariz.