Herbert Laverne Perkins

Herbert "Papa" Laverne Perkins, 77, of St. Martin, passed away on Saturday, December 24, 2011. Papa honorably served his country in the Navy where he traveled the world working in aircraft and flight mechanics and retired as a Petty Officer First Class, serving last upon the U.S.S. Ticonderoga. He was a Life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and he was a master gardener, loved animals, enjoyed fishing, and always had a good joke to share. Papa was a loving father and grandfather who treasured having fun with his great-grandchildren. In his new heavenly home, he rejoins many beloved family members, including his wife, Mary; his parents, Edward and Elvira; and five children, Beth, Mack, Gene, Steve, and Janet. He leaves until later his daughters, Deborah Mauer and her husband Bill of Ocean Springs, Janice King and her husband Russell of Pensacola, FL; numerous grandchildren, including Barbara (Keith) Lee and Mary (James) Stankard, who both helped care for him in his final days; many precious great-grandchildren; and his loving companion Phyllis Bishop of Hanover, PA. The family would like to thank the ER, ICU, and Second Floor nurses at Ocean Springs Hospital for their compassionate care and Anna Miller and her Sunday School class for their encouraging cards and many prayers. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, December 29, 2011 at the Ocean Springs Chapel, Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home at 10:00 a.m.; Friends may visit from 9:00 a.m. until service time. Interment will follow at Roberts Cemetery with U.S. Navy Honors in Pensacola, Florida at 2:30 p.m.