Mrs. Betty Higgins Perkins Jones

The passing of Mrs. Betty Higgins Perkins Jones, age 84, at Duke Hock Family Pavilion, is being announced by her loving and devoted husband Dr. Bernell Jones. Betty Perkins Jones was born on June 13, 1937, in Durham, North Carolina. She began her career as an LPN at Duke Medical Center for numerous years before concluding her career with IBM (1976-1993) as a Library Technician. Betty was an active member of St. Joseph AME Church until her health declined. She loved her church and often talked about it in conversation. She was also in various community organizations to include, but not limited to Jack and Jill of America, 4-H of America, Jolly Dozen, and the Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Betty loved both listening to music and writing her own songs, poetry and children's books. Her jazz album It's Happening to Me gained national attention and accolades. Her most treasured book written for children was Color Me Free, a magical experience of a slave trade from a child's perspective. Betty was known for her southern cooking (especially her signature apple pie) and gained a national reputation for NCCU homecoming after-game feats. Her heart and kitchen were always open. But Betty's means can't be limited to just homecoming for she enjoyed feeding her friends throughout the year for all events - New Year's, Easter, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and any time friends wanted to stop by for a chat. She could and would talk to anyone, even the NCCU students that she would see on the street. Betty's love for life carried over into everyone her life touched with her signature smile, laughter, and jokes. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother to her children and any other children that crossed her path. She will truly be missed. In loving memory, Betty is survived by her devoted husband of 38 years, Dr. Bernell Jones; her sisters, Carolyn Sue Morrow and Daisy Haskins Ashford (Sidney); her loving children; Pamela Shekinah Perkins, Natalie Perkins, Palmer L. Perkins, III, Tony F. Perkins and De’Shaun Jones. She was preceded in death by daughters Beverly Perkins Turner and Jacqueline Perkins Askins. Betty’s beautiful legacy includes thirteen grandchildren, twenty-one great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren and a host of loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Public viewing for Mrs. Jones will take place at Scarborough & Hargett Celebration of Life Center, Inc., 309 N Queen Street, Durham, North Carolina 27701, on Friday, January 28, 2022, from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. A Private Family Service of Celebration has been scheduled for Saturday, January 29, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Joseph AME Church, 2521 Fayetteville Street, Durham, North Carolina 27707. The Homegoing Service of Celebration for Mrs. Betty Higgins Perkins Jones will be streamed live via the St. Joseph AME Church's website at https://www.stjosephame.org/ In every effort to protect our families and their guests, face coverings are required. Interment will be held at Glennview Memorial Park, 2515 NC Hwy 55, Durham, North Carolina 27713. In Lieu of flowers, Dr. Jones and family gratefully request any gifts of remembrance be donated to the Betty Perkins Jones Educational Scholarship Fund towards the Higher Education of her great and great-great grandchildren. Please send all scholarship gifts to: Dr. Bernell Jones c/o Natalie Perkins 5 Little Valley Court Durham, NC 27704 Checks payable to: Dr. Bernell Jones with Betty Perkins Jones Scholarship Fund written on the memo line

Mrs. Betty Higgins Perkins Jones

June 13, 1937 - January 20, 2022