Robert Merritt Perkins, 78 of Columbus, MS passed away Friday, December 18, 2020, at Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle, Columbus, MS.

A graveside service will be held Monday, December 21, 2020 at 11:00 A.M. at Mount Vernon Cemetery, Columbus, MS with Bro. Joe Fondren officiating and Lowndes Funeral Home directing.

Mr. Perkins was born March 31, 1942 in Aurora, IL to the late Elder Merritt Perkins and Geraldine Brill Stewart. He was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church and the Lake Norris Fishing Club. Mr. Perkins retired in 2015 from McCrary West Construction as a supervisor for close to 30 years. He loved his family, friends, fishing, classic cars, music, coffee, butter cookies, and most importantly, the Lord, his Savior, Jesus Christ. In addition to his parents, Mr. Perkins was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn Sexton Perkins; sisters-Deanna Froman and Nina Richardson; brother- Richard "Dick" Perkins; step-father-Ed Stewart; and step-mother- Fran Perkins.

Mr. Perkins is survived by his wife-Jacqueline Honeycutt Merchant, his children-Deborah Perkins Fuller, Sturgis, MS; Bobby Perkins, Columbus, MS; Michelle Perkins Couture, Stephenville, TX; Jamie Perkins (Bobby) Kendrick, Columbus, MS; Matthew (Savannah) Perkins, Columbus, MS; sister-Nancy Vaghy, Detroit, MI; 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Perkins, Justin Willis, Bobby Kendrick, Luke Holman, Michael Cox, and Leon Ellis IV. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Perkins, Bob Cox, Jay McCrary, Hudson Adams, Danny Johnson, Andy Caldwell, and the employees of McCrary West Construction.

Memorials may be made to American Family Radio P.O. Box Drawer 2440, Tupelo, MS 38803.