Coach Ben M. Perkins

Coach Ben M. Perkins, of Bowdon, Georgia, passed away Wednesday, October 24, 2012, at his home. He was 80.

Coach Perkins was born in Gadsden, Alabama, to the late Paul and Odessa Perkins. He was a 1950 graduate of Emma Sansom High School, Gadsden, Alabama, lettering in football, basketball and track. He attended Gordon Military College, Barnesville, Georgia, starting as a freshman in football and basketball and was voted Athlete of the Year (1950-1951). He served in the United States Navy for four years and saw action in the Korean War. He played one year of football with the Navy in San Diego, California. He graduated from the University of Jacksonville with a B.S. Degree and received a Master’s Degree from Middle Tennessee University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He also attended University of Georgia and University of West Georgia.

He loved his occupation of teaching and coaching high school students at Southside, Gadsden, Altoona High School (Altoona, Alabama), Sardis High (Sardis, Alabama) and at Bowdon High School (Bowdon, Georgia). He coached football seven years at Altoona High School where He coached two perfect football seasons in Alabama (10-0) and in 1962 won Alabama State Championship, and he was named Alabama Coach of the Year. He coached at Sardis High School, Sardis, Alabama, for three years and in 1966 won State Championship and “Coach” was named 1966 Coach of the Year. His record in Alabama was 46-20-4.

He coached from 1969-1981 at Bowdon High School, Bowdon, Georgia, and in 1971, his football team won the Class B State Championship and Coach Perkins was named Georgia Class B Coach of the Year. His record in Georgia was 76-51-3.

After retiring from the education field, he was part owner of Stowers Manufacturing Company in Gadsden, Alabama.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Richard and Revere Perkins.

He was the beloved husband of Jimmie Nelle Stowers Perkins for 57 1/2 years.

He is survived by two sons, Mark Perkins (Violet) and Matt Perkins; two daughters, Marla P. Rogers (Jerry), all from Bowdon, and Mitzi P. Hanegan (Tim) of Bremen, Georgia. Grandchildren are Michele Pickard (Kevin) of Rossville, Georgia, Luke Rogers (Megan) of Athens, Georgia, Jess Rogers of Bowdon, Jessica, John (Haley), Joni and Mati Perkins of Graham, Alabama, Molly, Katie and Ellie Hanegan of Bremen, Georgia, Chris Turner (Jen) of Carrollton, Georgia, and Brent Turner (Karen) of Bowdon, Georgia; and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Eva Hill (J.D.); brother-in-law, Danny Stowers (Loretta); aunts, Gene Waters and Marie Dew, all of Gadsden, Alabama; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service will be at Bowdon Baptist Church on Sunday, October 28, 2012, at 2 p.m.

The family will receive friends at Rainwater Funeral Home in Bowdon, Georgia, on Saturday, October 27, 2012, from 4 to 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Tanner Hospice Service, P. O. Box 1136, Carrollton, GA 30112.

Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.rainwaterfuneralhome.com.

Rainwater Funeral Home, Bowdon