Chester Aaron Perkins, 91, of Marked Tree passed away Saturday, April 19, 2008, at Three Rivers Nursing Center in Marked Tree.

He was born July 9, 1916 in Tyronza to the late Charles Oliver "Charlie" and Minnie Everett Lillard Perkins. He had lived in the Black Oak Community all his life.

During the 1930's the John Alvin Rye family moved to the Tyronza area. It was then Chester met and married the love of his life Gladys. They were married 68 years and raised their three daughters, Ginger, Sandra and Kathy in the Black Oak Community. Chester was a loving and devoted husband, Daddy and Granddaddy. He and Gladys had such love for each other; their marriage was truly made in heaven. He loved God with all his heart and had attended the Marked Tree Church of God his entire life. He dearly loved his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He was loved so much and will be missed by his family. They have many wonderful memories.

He was a retired owner of Perkins Grocery Store in the Black Oak Community for many years. He later worked for his brother-in-law, Johnny Rye, until he retired to care for his wife, Gladys, who had Alzheimer's.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Rye Perkins, two daughters, Carol June Perkins (stillborn) and Sandra Perkins Green; one son, Chester Aaron Perkins, Jr. (stillborn); brothers, Edward Perkins, Raymond Perkins, Oliver Perkins, Jessie Perkins, his twin brother Lester Perkins, Marion Perkins, Eugene Perkins (twin brother to Eva Jean), and Glenn Perkins; and sisters, Mattie Perkins Tacker and Alta Ruth Bailey.

He is survived by his two daughters and son-in-laws Ginger and Ralph Tacker of Tyronza and Kathy and Ken Gray of Hernando, Miss.; one brother, Leo Perkins of Memphis; one sister, Eva Jean Perkins Burroughs of Tallahassee, Fla.; nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

A celebration of his life was held Tuesday, April 22, at the Marked Tree Church of God with Rev. Patrick Tucker, Rev. Danny Pankey and Rick Kimery officiating. Burial followed at the Tyronza Cemetery with Roller-Citizens Funeral Home of West Memphis in charge of arrangements. A pictorial was shown during the service also.

Honored to serve as pallbearers were David Tacker, Mark Tacker, Patrick Green, Floyd Green, Chris Couch and Steve Lawson.