Mother Iretha Lee Perkins , aka Sister, was born on July 10, 1932, to the late R. L. Lee and Julia Lee in Statesboro, GA. She was the fifth of ten children. She was united in holy matrimony to Willie James (Sandy) Perkins. To this union nine children were born. Iretha was preceded in death by five of her children. They were Retha Mae, William, Velma, Ronnie and Dennis.

Mother Perkins was educated at Polk's Academy and had to walk to school on the days she was able to attend. As a teenager, she had to leave school to help tend the family farm. Unlike her siblings, Mother Perkins decided to make Bulloch County her home. She continued her education later in life and obtained her CNA license. Mother Perkins was employed by Bulloch Memorial Hospital for many years as a Nurse's Aid and also worked at Cooper Wiss as a machine operator for an extended time. After retirement, Mother Perkins was a personal caregiver for several clients. She extended the love and care she gave her family to her patients.

At an early age, Mother Perkins received Christ as her savior and joined Saint Mary's Missionary Baptist Church. Over the years, she served as a member of the Senior Choir, Trustee Board, and the Mother Board. Mother Perkins loved the Lord and her church. She attended faithfully until she was unable to do so any longer due to her declining health. Mother Perkins loved her grandchildren and spent time with them teaching and training them in the right way to live for God. She was a quiet storm that could be depended upon.

On October 27th, after a joyous day, Mother Perkins departed this life and entered eternal rest with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She leaves to cherish her memory, four children: Patricia Perkins (Eddie), Philadelphia, PA; Janet Jackson, Augusta, GA; Mary (Gary) Burns and Stanley Perkins, both of Statesboro, GA; two sisters Juanita (Johnny) Davis, Columbus, GA and Julia (George) Williams, Miramar, FL; two Daughters-in law Jeanette Perkins, Rincon, GA and Vanessa Perkins, Statesboro, GA; two Sisters in law Aline Scott, Augusta, GA and Mae Frances (Edwin) Lovett, Hilltonia, GA; two Brothers in law Franklin (Rachel) Perkins and Al Smith (Ola Mae) Perkins, Jr, both of Statesboro, GA; 21 Grandchildren: Micheal Andrews, Sr., Saleria Whitfield, Sharrod Perkins, Tyrone Perkins, Todd Perkins, Hosea Perkins, Ronnie Perkins Jr., Timothy Perkins, Demetrius Perkins, Terrell Perkins, Latoya Perkins, Monique McCann, Marquita Key, Eric Smith, Angel Burns, Anya Burns, Gabrielle Burns, Stanley Perkins, Jr., Destini Perkins, Christavier Littles, and La'Jarvis Perkins; 39 great-grandchildren, 8 great great-grandchildren; 3 special friends: Mother Clarice Davis, Mother Jean Williams and Mother Susie Smith; 3 honorary daughters: Bobby Jean Scott, Nancy Whitfield and Laura (Melvin) Johnson and a host of loving relatives and friends.