Mrs. Lila Grainger Perkins of Fort Valley, Georgia, passed away peacefully Thursday, February 18th at her home in Fort Valley, surrounded by her family. Born Addie Delilah Grainger, on April 1st 1929 in Aynor, South Carolina to Eulah and Curtis Grainger, Lila was the middle child of 5 sisters, and graduated from Aynor High School in 1947, being voted most likely to succeed by her class. After graduating, Lila attended Wingate College in North Carolina, afterwards working as a teacher and in 1958, was married to Norman Perkins of Killingworth, CT. Lila loved to travel and see new places. After marriage, she lived in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma and Utah, where her first son was born, finally settling down in South Bend, Indiana in 1963, where her second son was born. While in Indiana, she completed her degree in Special Education, and for several years worked with handicapped children in Michigan and Indiana. After moving to Georgia in 1981, she completed her Masters degree in Education while continuing to work with special needs children in Fort Valley until retirement. Along with travel and reading, one of the biggest joys in her life was being outside tending to her large flower gardens, as well as her blueberries and figs, which she loved to share with friends and neighbors. Lila was a longtime and faithful member of The First Baptist Church of Fort Valley, and was a member of the Lydia Sunday School class. Lila is survived by her children, Barry and Julie Perkins of Lenoir City, TN, and Craig and Rhonda Perkins of Katy, TX, her grandchildren Tyler Roberts of Mariette, GA, and Amanda Dutton of Katy, TX and 3 great-grandchildren, Vincent Tilelli, Sophia Tilelli and Andrew Dutton, her nieces, Theresa Hardwick of Aynor, SC, Janet Blasius of Charlton, MA , Carol Birdsey of Middleton, CT, and Judy Crooks of Cromwell, CT. Preceeding her in death was her beloved husband of 47 years, Norman Perkins, and sisters Maggie Grainger, Willie Grainger, Winnie Hardee, and Rosie Fisher. A graveside service will be held at the Aynor Cemetery at 2:00 PM Wednesday, February 24th. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the youth program at The First Baptist Church of Fort Valley 209 South Miller Street Fort Valley, GA 31030.
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