Benny Lee Perkins

On July 27, 1948, Benny Lee Perkins came into this life the third son of nine children born to the late Henry Perkins, Sr. and Johnnie Mae Goodloe-Perkins in Jersey City, New Jersey. Benny attended the Jersey City public school system, The Kennedy School (P.S. #9 elementary school). After graduating he attended Abraham Lincoln High School where he played first-string football as a champion and award-winning quarterback, played basketball, and ran track. He was a graduate of Jersey City State College (New Jersey City University) where once again he was an award-winning first-string quarterback, joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program and a founding member of Iota Phi Theta, Inc. fraternity, and it's still alive and well on that campus. In 1972 Benny graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. While attending college Benny joined in holy matrimony to Willnette Anderson.

After graduation, Benny served in the United States Army. While performing his military duties, he was also a member of the Army baseball team, traveled the world, and was honorably discharged as a staff sergeant.

After his discharge, Benny moved with his family to Woodbridge, Virginia, where he became a top contractor for the General Services Administration (GSA) for Blind Vendors, a top award-winning salesman for the Rosenthal Mazda Car Dealership, and later a Third-Degree Mason.

Benny reconnected with a high school classmate Brenda Stanley-Gilmore. Sparks flew; a romance ensued; and they were joined in holy matrimony on April 7, 2001. Benny moved to Jersey City, New Jersey, and joined The Mount Calvary Baptist Church. He then enrolled at New Jersey City University for special education, receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Special Education. That was not enough for Benny; he immediately reenrolled for the master’s program and received his Master of Arts Degree in Special Education. He was certified by the State of New Jersey and taught special education in the Jersey City School System high schools until he retired in 2011 and along with Brenda and Esau, relocated to Leesburg, Georgia where he joined the Mount Zion Baptist Church.

Early in the morning on March 3, 2021, when all was quiet and still, Benny transitioned to be with our Lord and his family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Perkins, Sr. and Johnnie Mae Goodloe-Perkins; brothers, Samuel L. Perkins, and William Perkins; and sisters-in-law, Mary Perkins and Bernice (Bunny) Perkins.

Surviving to cherish his memory are: his loving and devoted wife, Brenda Stanley-Perkins (Sweetie), Willnette-Perkins (Billie-first wife) of Woodbridge, VA; daughters, Thomasina Perkins-Washington of Washington, DC., Asshia Hinton of Bushkill PA, Qwenita Gilmore-Clay of Macon, GA, Sandra Perkins of Woodbridge, VA; and son, Billy Dee Perkins (Heidi) of Stafford, VA; endearing brothers, MacDonald Perkins and Henry Perkins, Jr., both of Jersey City, N.J. and Jerome Perkins (Susan) of Virginia Beach, VA; his loving sisters, Delores Perkins-White and Sandra Perkins, both of Jersey City, N.J., and Lorraine Perkins-Chaloupka (Michael) of Woodbridge, VA; nine grandchildren, Christopher, Sandra, Tavian, Tavon, Esau, Al-Jamil, Brendan, Caron, and Kaden; four great-grandchildren, lmani Marie, Camden, Canaan and McKey; mother-in-law, Thelma Stanley of Albany, GA; brother and sister-in-law, Kenneth and Sandra Chavis of Albany, GA; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends who will all miss his love of family, love of sports, sense of humor, “roll with punches” attitude to life, and his O.G. style and class.

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