SOUTHERN PINES – Allen Kimrey Perkins, 96, of Southern Pines, passed away at Penick Village on Thursday, November 2, 2017. 

His funeral will be held at Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 330 S. May Street, at 1 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2017.  The family will receive friends prior to the service starting at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Burial will follow at the Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 2000 Union Church Road, Cameron, NC.

Mr. Perkins was born in Wayne County, North Carolina on February 16, 1921 to the late Isaac Thomas Perkins and Mamie Aycock Perkins. He married to the late Flora Kelly, a fellow educator, and they were together 65 years.

Mr. Perkins graduated from Grantham High School in 1938 as the valedictorian of his class and was awarded a BS Degree with honors from Western Carolina University in 1942. He was named the best college citizen among the males during the graduation ceremonies in 1942.  He then attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and graduated with a MA Degree in Educational Administration and Supervision.  He was a life-long loyal Tar Heel fan!

Mr. Perkins had a long and outstanding career as an educator. He taught at Eastern Wayne High School in Goldsboro, and later served as principal at Bladenboro High School. He spent 21 years as principal at Broadway High School. It was during his time at Broadway that he met and later married Flora Kelly in 1951. They moved to Southern Pines in 1967.  Mr. Perkins was principal at Southern Pines High School and later Southern Pines Middle School; retiring after 40+ years in administration/education. He was known as a dedicated and passionate educator/mentor and was revered throughout each of the communities he served. He was loved for his many kindnesses to family members and friends. Over the years he shared his appreciation for music to his family, friends, and former students.

Church involvement was a primary importance in Mr. Perkins’ life. He was an active member and elder in the Neuse Friends Meeting, Goldsboro before locating in Broadway where he joined the Broadway Presbyterian Church (church organist for 16 years). He was a very active member of Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church. He served as a deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher and Superintendent, Choir member, and pianist for the Men’s Bible Class for many years.

He was also a proud member of the Broadway Lions Club, holding a term as President and a long-time member of the Moore County Retired School Personnel, serving as president and treasurer.

In 2001, Mr. Perkins was the recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine award for his outstanding contributions as an educator. This honor is awarded by the Governor to persons for exemplary service to the State of North Carolina and their communities that is above and beyond the call of duty.

Mr. Perkins treasured spending time with family and friends, and many of his precious moments were spent sharing childhood stories with his children, grandchildren, and other family members. His love for and appreciation of family provides a legacy for all.

Mr. Perkins is survived by daughters Kay Mitchell Thomas (Hal) of Murfreesboro, and Jo Perkins Elmore (Matt) of Clayton. He was the brother of Martha Perkins Brown of Penick Village, Southern Pines and the late Albert Nathan Perkins, Theodore Edison Perkins, Thurman Thomas Perkins, and Khan Vail Perkins. He was the grandfather of Jennifer Perkins Mitchell, Christina Kelly Mitchell, Allyson Elmore (Courtney) and Allan Mitchell, and great–granddaughter, Addison Elmore and great-grandson Wiley Elmore.

The family would like to express love and appreciation to Linda Oswald and Pat Mason for their tender loving care the past few years. The Penick Village staff was always caring and supportive. FirstHealth Hospice of Moore County also provided excellent care which was greatly appreciated.

Contributions in Kimrey’s memory may be made to: Brownson Memorial Presbyterian Church, 330 S. May St. Southern Pines, N.C. 28387 Union Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 898 Carthage, NC 28327, or Stanley A. Mitchell and A.K. and Flora Perkins Education Scholarship at Chowan University, One University Place, Murfreesboro, N.C. 27855.

Online condolences may be made at www.bolesfuneralhome.com.

Boles Funeral Home is serving the family.