Charles M. Perkins Jr.

Charles Perkins Jr. Obituary Charles Moody Perkins, 90 years of age, died in Cleveland Ohio on January 25, 2025. Born in Lumpkin Georgia, to his parents Bessie and Charles Moody Perkins. Charles accepted Christ at an early age. At an early age, Charles and his family relocated to Cleveland Ohio, where he attended Second Ebenezer Baptist Church. In Cleveland, Charles was regarded as an outstanding student from his time at John Burrows Elementary School throughout his scholastic career at Central High School. It was at Central High that young Charles displayed his athletic prowess in baseball as a star center fielder and city champion, representing the John H Cloud Florist Co. Charles took classes at Dyke College, where he met the former Velma Garner. The two fell in love and were wed in 1957. In a union that lasted over 60 years, the marriage of Charles and Velma produced three children. Blessed with an entrepreneurial spirit and mindset, in his youth, Charles developed a paper route and worked as a Western Union courier. As adults, Charles and his brothers started FACE Construction Company, a paving company that ultimately became Seawright/FACE Paving. During Charles’ tenure with Seawright/FACE, two of his most cherished experiences were the occasions which allowed him to travel to Africa for job opportunities. After Seawright/FACE Paving, he started Perk Co. as President and co-owner. Upon retiring, he continued as consultant to his brother Fred and Fred’s wife Gail with Choice and Tech Ready Mix Company. Charles’ time in construction led to his involvement with the Buckeye Contractors Association, a group comprised of minority owners across the state. Affectionately known as “Charlie P”, Charles always involved and sought to help others, in both business as well at his home church, St. Aloysius Catholic Church, where Charles served on the Finance Committee, Finance Council, Men’s Club, and Groundskeeper after his retirement…although we all know he never fully retired. Charles was also a charter member of The Ohio Association of African American Business Owners Inc and was a lifetime member of both the NAACP and the Knights of Columbus. Feeling Charles’ loss most keenly are his younger brothers, Eddie, Argolyn and Fred (Gail). (Charles’ wife Velma preceded him in death in 2018); their three children Charlotte (Mitchell), Reginald (Jackie) and Curtiss (Marlene); his daughter Charlene; Grandchildren Charles Dean, Keisha and Shanay Traylor, Reginald Joshua Perkins, Aaron Haynesworth, Marisa James, Curtiss Jr. and Quintin Perkins; Great-grandchildren Kailyn Ellington, Charles Jr, Amaya and Canelo Dean, Melanie Davis, A'Lona Middlebrooks, Darionna Perkins and Kayden Perkins, and a host of additional nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. In lieu of flowers, all donations can be made in his name to Bessie’s Angels. www.bessiesangels.org When I come to the end of the road And the sun has set for me I want no rites in a gloom-filled room Why cry for a soul set free? Miss me a little, but not for long And not with your head bowed low Remember the love that once we shared Miss me but let me go. For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone. It’s all part of the Master’s plan A step on the road to home. When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know. Laugh at all the things we used to do Miss me but let me go. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles M. Perkins Jr., please visit our floral store. Read More

Charles M. Perkins Jr.

May 19, 1934 - January 25, 2025