Harriet Elizabeth Perkins

Harriet "Bay" Elizabeth Perkins, born Ocitober 25, 1924 in Augusta, Georgia to parents Lorena Ryans and Tennant Baddgett. She was the youngest of three children: Margaret and James. Harriet received her formal education in Hepzibah, Georgia. At an early age, Harried accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. She was baptized at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Hepzibah, GA by the late Rev. O.C. Pickett. As a young woman, Harriet Ryans met Phelmon Perkins Sr., and they were united in holy matrimony on March 11, 1945, and to this union one son, Phelmon Jr. was born. In the early 1950's the young couple and family moved to Chicago, Illinois. This loving marriage lasted 25 years until his death in January 1971. Harriet united with New Nazareth Missionary Baptist Church under the pastonde of the late Rev. Dr. J.E. Hopkins in the late 1950's. She served the Lord by being a member of the Gospel Chorus and the Anniversary Club. After her health began to fail she served the church with her prayers, faith and by listening to New Nazareth broadcast every Sunday on the radio. She was employed at St. Anthony's Hospital for 30 years. In 1990, Harriet retired from the hospital. While retired she took on another rewarding, loving, inspirational, and her most favorite job, babysitting. Taking care of all her great grandchildren was very important and rewarding to her. She looked out for the grandchildren and the great grandchildren until her health began to fail. Harriet loved to cook and watch her great grandchildren they were the love of her life. All her grandchildren's friends knew Grandma Bay and she treated them like they were her own kids. Bay loved life and lived a happy, fun filled one, finding enjoyment in everything she did. Harriet was also the Treasurer for the Block Club for 7600 S. Champlain for many years. She was so proud to vote and see Baraka Obama become the 1st African American President of the United States. Harriet departed her earthly life on Sunday, February 9, 2014 at Holy Cross Hospital. She was preceded in death by both parents, Lorena and Tennant; her siblings, Margaret Bowman and James Ryans; her husband, Phelmon Perkins Sr.; and her oldest son. Harriet leaves to cherish her memories, her loving son, Phelmon R. Perkins Jr.; grandchildren, David Perkins, Darren Perkins, Daneen (Ralph) Purnell and Shauntay Johnson; great grandchildren, Karen, Michael, David Jr, Davisha and Kindra Perkins and Jalissa and Jayla Purnell, Juan, Patrick and Noah Carlson; one great-great grandchild, Elijah Brown; a special daughter-in-law, Darlene Humphrey; granddaughters-in-law, Veronica Perkins and Kim Droghn; nephew, George (Tracy) Jenkins; special friends, Penny Jones, Maggie Greer and Retha Lewis; devoted neighbors, Melvin Bradford and Betty Glenn; caregiver, Rosie Lee Lindsey; nurse, Nakia Long; and a host of other relatives and friends.

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Harriet Elizabeth Perkins

October 25, 1924 - February 9, 2014