Harold "Ootsie" Perkins
Born April 16, 1929 to E.D. and Teula Owens Perkins.
Husband of Geneva Hitt (d. 2011).

He was preceded in death by his wife, his son, Rick (Susan) Perkins, and his step-son Terry (Jan) Garner. He is survived by his son, Randy (Darlene) Perkins, his daughter Christy (Rick) Hardin, his daughter Donna (Fred) Logan, his step-daughter Peggy Garner Robinson. He loved and is survived by 12 grandchildren, and a host of great-grandchildren.

He has been a member of Forestdale Church of God for 53 years.

He retired from Norfolk Southern Railway as a locomotive engineer, and had the privilege of driving the old steam engines. He loved his church, his family, blue-grass music, and fishing.

After his wife passed in 2011, he had another chance at love when he met Nora Williamson. They spent many hours together in their latter years.

He is a Veteran of Foreign Wars, having served in the Army in Alaska before Alaska was a state.

There is no doubt he loved the Lord, he loved his family, and worked his entire career to provide for his family. He instilled in his children the meaning of great work ethic.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests honoring their father with contributions to either St. Jude Research Hospital stjude.org or the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. https:// billygraham .org/christian/ministry

Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 17th at Bell Forestdale Chapel with burial to follow at Crestview Memorial Gardens.  Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. on Thursday until time of service.    Pastor Roland Brown officiating.