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Huel Perkins Obituary

Huel Davis Perkins, husband, father, grandfather, professor, administrator, speaker, composer and navy veteran, departed this life on April 15, 2013 with his family by his side. He was a native son of Baton Rouge, born December 27, 1924. He believed that education and preparation could overcome any barrier and he made his life an example of that truth. He graduated with highest honors from Southern University in 1947. He continued his education at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois from which he received his Master's and the Ph.D. degrees. His entire career was spent as a professor and an administrator in higher education. At Southern University, he served as Director of Music and Dean of the College of Arts and Humanities. At LSU, he served as Professor of Humanities, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Executive Assistant to the Chancellor. He was also a proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity and the Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (Boule'), where he became the Grand Sire Archon (National President.) In 2005, LSU awarded him an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters and created a fellowship program in his name to help students achieve their highest potential. Mourning his passing, but celebrating his life, are his wife of 64 years, Thelma O. Smith Perkins; his son Huel Alfred Perkins and his wife Priscilla; his grandsons Huel Jared Perkins and Vincent Frederick Perkins; three nephews, two godchildren, cousins and a host of friends. The funeral service will be held 11 a.m., Saturday, April 20 at the Hall Davis Celebration Center, 9348 Scenic Highway, Baton Rouge, LA. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to one of the following: The Huel D. Perkins Fellowship at Louisiana State University, c/o the LSU Foundation, 3838 West Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70896; or The Boule' Foundation, 50 Hurt Plaza, Suite 750, Atlanta, Georgia 30303; or The Alpha Phi Alpha Education Foundation, 2313 Saint Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21218-5211. Guestbook at www.hallsinc.net.

Published by The Advocate from Apr. 17 to Apr. 20, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Huel Perkins

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Still remembering his inspirational spirit. May he continue to rest in peace.

Barbara Pate

Friend

April 11, 2023

To the family of my cousin and great grandson of David Davis. I share your loss. David Davis contributed money to start Lincoln University and Huel Davis Perkins taught there. That is something that he would have been proud of. Both of them. David Davis and his Great grandson Huel Davis Perkins.

James Gray

October 5, 2013

To the Perkins Family,

We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Perkins.

Dr. Perkins was really a remarkable gentleman. He was very kind and compassionate.

He was a brilliant Humanities professor who made teaching and learning an art. His lectures were always outstanding.

He always had a warm smile.

When we returned to Baton Rouge after living many wonderful years in Spain we ran into him at LSU where he took us to his office and talked about his professional life.

He inspired so many people with his knowledge and his eternal quest to help others.

Dr. Perkins will certainly be missed because of his genuine impact on so many people.

May God forever bless and keep you and your family in his care.

Simon L. and Patricia Monget Richard

Patricia Monget Richard

May 11, 2013

No Humanities class is complete without him. A gentleman and scholar like none other I know. Dr. Perkins.
Genuine condolences to the family.

Ruth Bailey Wesley

May 6, 2013

To the Perkins family. My deepest and sincere sympathies. I have only learned today of Dr. Perkins passing. I am so sorry and would have made the trip to Baton Rouge to the services. I'm remembering so much as I write. the performances of Beethoven's 9th Symphony and the Missa Solemnis as well as My performance of Bernstein.s "Trouble in Tahiti", the Verdi Requiem, and on, and on( great smiles)
In any case I send you a thousand hugs of joy in his memory. This is for me an end to an era. I am teaching on the faculty of LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis TN in the vocal music area. God bless and keep you always (Thelma and Chip)
Class of 1964 Music Department (ps Greetings to Francis Marsh)

Clyde Battles

April 29, 2013

I offer my condolences to Mrs. Thelma Perkins, Huel Alfred and the entire Perkins family on the transition of our beloved Dr. Huel D. Perkins to a new life. I was privilege to know Dr. Perkins for many years in a variety of capacities. He has been a role model for my entire life, my mentor, and my friend. My first encounter with Dr. Perkins was during the early 1960's as a student in his humanities class. As a young science student, I was most impressed with this tall, articulate, demanding and debonair professor who had a presence that I had not seen previously. In all of my dealings with Dr. Perkins, nothing short of excellence was acceptable. We shared a passion for tennis, one of his favorite diversions, and we had many highly competitive tennis matches over the years. Most recently, we shared membership in two organizations, wherein I continued to learn from this giant of a man. His influence on my life and on the lives of many others will live forever. Thank you for sharing Dr. Perkins with the wider community where he made higher education and the world a better place.
May God continue to bless and sustain you during this time of bereavement.

Earl Doomes

April 29, 2013

To the Perkins' family our deepest sympathies are with you at this time of bereavement. May God comfort you and keep you strong..PRAY..Dr. Perkins was a kind man who help so many young people educationally. We will keep you and your family in our prayers.Dr. Rosa L. White & Family

Rosa White

April 28, 2013

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

Durinda and Gwendolyn Jase Robinson

April 28, 2013

Dr. Perkins was always a very kind and jovial person. I remember seeing him on Southern's Campus with the great smile that was his trademark. May he rest in Eternal Peace with Our Lord.
In time,Family,you will be able to remember him without feeling the pangs of sorrow. God bless you all.

Hilda Toles Grimes

April 26, 2013

To the Perkins family our deepest sympathies are with you all during your time of loss and bereavement. may the God of comfort, comfort all of you. you'll are in our prayers.

Ben & Gwen Turner

April 23, 2013

With Heartfelt Sympathy,
Ginger F. Smith

April 23, 2013

To Huel Alfred and family, I know you are saddened by the loss of Dr. Perkins, but rest in the knowledge that he positively touched the lives of many; always offering his insights and inspiration to all he came into contact with. He left a legacy of overcoming obstacles to achieve and succeed. He will be remembered by many.

Felicia LeDuff Harry

April 23, 2013

I was so saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Perkins. I, along with my mother Shirley Benton, had the priviledge of working for him in the Chancellor's Office at LSU. He was a dear, sweet man and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. I will always remember that smile, his kindness and thoughfulness. I pray that God will provide you comfort during this difficult time and I take comfort in knowing that my Mom will have another one of her dear friends with her in heaven.

Bonni Benton Blouin

April 23, 2013

With Deepest Sympathy...

Cynthia Doyle-Lewis

April 22, 2013

Our thoughts and prayers are with you. I was introduced to Dr. Perkins by Mrs. M.C. Turner as he conducted us in Mendelssohn's ELIJAH. That introduction caused my wanting to emulate this classy individual. I am proud to be among the thousands whose lives he positively touched. Gwen says, she'll always remember Dr. Perkins' smile. PEACE BE WITH YOU,
Donnie and Gwen Albert

April 21, 2013

We were life long friends, Huel, Dorothy Bishop(now deceased)and I. . We started elementary school at Southern University and went on through high school and college together. He was the brother we did not have. Huel had a magnetic personality which seemed to draw people to him. I will always remember his infectious smile and his hearty laughter. My sincere condolences to his wife and family.
Marjorie Spicer

Marjorie Spicer

April 21, 2013

With Deepest Sympathy. Dr. Perkins touched so many lives that his legacy will live on forever. He was a perfect role model for young African Americans.
Randolph J. Johnson of Dover, Delaware
Director of Bands, Delaware State Univ.
Graduate of Southern University 75 & 77
Graduate of Southern Lab 72
High School classmate of Huel (Chipper)

April 21, 2013

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends. From "Sunshine" (Piccadilly-Delmont)

Shirley Mae Antwine

April 20, 2013

The Haynes family is saddened by the loss of a great man,mentor, and friend. Huel was giant and his legacy will live on.

Leonard Haynes III

April 20, 2013

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your loss. We were truly Blessed to have had a great teacher in Dr. Huel Perkins as he made music history class come alive. I will always remember my experience singing the Verdi Requiem under his direction. May God continue to Bless you.
Janice Guntz Sydnor

April 20, 2013

Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with the Perkins Family during this time of loss and bereavement. May God bless the family as you begin to heal.

Lacour Family

April 20, 2013

To the family of Huel Perkins: I send my deepest condolences to you in the passing of my Godfather Huel Perkins. I thank God for allowing me to know Huel and for the excellent example that he provided as an educator and a African American leader. He was very instrumental in providing an opportunity for my father Dr. George West Sr. at Southern University in the Music Department and because of that opportunity my father was able help educate and raise me. It is because of Huel's wonderful spirit and guidance that I was able to recieve my Graduate Degree from the University of Maryland in Information Technology. Thank you sharing Huel with me and my family and may God provide you with comfort during your time of sorrow. I will continue to keep you all in my prayers and If you need anything please let me know. "Wait on The Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on The Lord." Psalm 27:14

God Bless,

Minister Huel and Deaconess April West and Family

April 20, 2013

Our prayers and sincere thoughts of sympathy are with your family at this time of great loss. Dr. Perkins was such a great educator and long time family friend. He will be missed.

The Will & Richard Families

April 20, 2013

God is faithful, His mercies are brand new every morning.

Marva Bell

April 20, 2013

Cordial, Honorable, a Beacon of Light, those are the 'Notes' I'll always play when remembering Dr. Perkins. The foundation he laided is an 'institution' that will surely live on ! Sincerely, Deborah Moorhead

deborah moorhead

April 20, 2013

To the Perkins Family
You have my deepest condolences. I have many memories of playing tennis with Dr. Perkins on Southern University tennis courts and later on in the years at Louisiana State University tennis courts.Dr. Perkins love him some tennis and Rest in peace.

Marion Lee(SU,LSU,USMC)

April 20, 2013

My prayers are with you. May God keep you strong.

Mauretta Elbert

April 20, 2013

God be with you during this time of sorrow.

Dr. and Mrs. C. O. Simpkins

April 19, 2013

Perkins family, Very sorry to learn of this great person passing. I was priviledged to have work with him at LSU. He will be greatly missed.

Evans Roberts

April 19, 2013

Mrs. Thelma and family, I pray that God will send you peace and comfort. Dr. Perkins was one of the dearest and most respected persons I have known.

Janie Frickie

April 19, 2013

I extend condolences to the Perkins family. Dr. Perkins taught generations how to live, enjoy their work, and pursue their passions. I recall his love of the humanities, and joy of tennis. He was a giant of the 20th century and today. He taught us all, how to walk with Kings and not "lose the common touch." Growing up with Huel, he laughed when we laughed, and was disappointed when we were disappointed. Nowadays, people search for models. In Dr. Perkins, we didn't have to look far. Thank you, Dr. Perkins.

Gary M. Clark, Ph.D.

April 19, 2013

Some classes are forgotten at the end of the semester, but not so withHumanities, The Black Experience.
Thank you Dr.Perkins.

Leroy Fountain

April 19, 2013

I am so fortunate to have gotten to know this great man! He brought a smile to my face every day I worked with him. His memory lives in our hearts forever.

Sheri Thompson

April 19, 2013

I share the sorrow of your lost. When I last saw Dr. Perkins We spoke of my mother, who was in high school with him. His thoughtfulness was just one of his outstanding characteristics.We will all miss him greatly.

Harold Isadore

April 19, 2013

Even the "thought" of Dr. Perkins,as well as his status, remind me of the often referenced phrase, "standing on the shoulders of giants." He stood tall and strong as he lifted so many of us. He believed that the best examples of a person's culture should be at the forefront of teaching and learning.
Dr. Perkins has been at the pinnacle of every step of my academic and professional life. He has advised me on career paths and written recommendations for me as I made my way through undergraduate school at Southern, graduate school and in my profession.
I used his example as a teacher, mentor and advisor, in my professional relationships with my students and colleagues.
Additionally, I was a student representative on the 1974 search committee for SUBR president. He was resoundingly and without hesitation the choice of the majority. He was admired, but more importantly, respected for his accomplishments, collegial relationships, and potential to continue a great legacy for Southern. In spite of the outcome, his former students sought him out and he stayed with us. I thank God for his wide shoulders, for this Giant, and for sending us a person of such great dignity.
With prayers for his family and with deepest gratitude for having been one of his students,

Eva Semien Baham

April 19, 2013

The Perkins family,
my thoughts and prayers are with you in this your time of grief. I will always remember Dr. Perkins who was my mentor during sy student years at Southern University.

Larry K. Horton

April 19, 2013

He is not here in body but he lives on through many. May God Bless you Mrs. Perkins, Huel and family memebers. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Kim Hausey

April 19, 2013

What a wonderful man Dr. Perkins was!! He was intelligent, humble, personal, and very funny!!! He was a wonderful example and role model. I pray that I can be half the person he was. My prayers and thoughts go to his family. He is gone but will never be forgotten.

April White

April 19, 2013

GREAT man...wonderful teacher...a gentle giant who did so much that was good for our community...his energy and commitment will always inspire those of us who were fortunate enough to be associated in some way with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this time of loss.

Barbara Reich Freiberg

April 19, 2013

Soror Thelma and the entire Perkins family, I always admired and respected Dr. Perkins. I knew him in every aspect of my life and every facet was illuminating. A beautiful spirit but an agent of change who could always be counted on to set the record straight. In church, on the campus, in the community, and in the airport, he was never too busy to share some bit of his experiences with a young, innocent little girl who wanted to learn it all. Always a man of genteel deportment and style, he was one of the men that impacts how I measure of every man I meet in life. He was at ease with world leaders and the common man and he made sure that they were with him. A devoted husband and proud family man, he set the bar high for those around him. I will join you in spirit tomorrow but I will lift you in prayer for the years to come. A Christian, a man,a spouse,a professional,an artist, and a man for all seasons that changed Baton Rouge and the world.....Dr. Huel Davis Perkins, Godspeed!

Cynthia A. Spooner, JD

April 19, 2013

May your hearts and soul find peace and comfort.Dr.Perkins was so very special.May God bless the Perkins family.

Thomas VanDyke

April 18, 2013

Rest in Peace Bro. Perkins !!! You' ve my deepest heartfelt sympathy, Mrs. Thelma Perkins my music teacher from Bernard Terrace Elem. and Huel Jr. whom I used to love watching on T.V. as an anchor in Detroit !!! God Bless, Your family will be in my prayers !

Vada Mitchell

April 18, 2013

To Mrs. Perkins and the Perkins family, I give you sincere condolences. I have known your family ever since I was a child.
My dad(Dr. Emmett Bashful) had a lot of respect for Dr. Perkins. He will be truly missed. May God be with you and your family.

Cornell Bashful-Morgan

April 18, 2013

I am sure I speak for so many students who still remember with a smile Dr. Perkins' S.U. Humanities class(es). He displayed such passion and such love of his chosen field and for the students.
Condolences to the family.

Amatullah Umrani

April 18, 2013

Our prayers are with the family. Brother Dr. Perkins and I became very good friends over the years during his work with the World Policy Council and his support of the Martin Luther King Memorial in Washington, DC.
Frank Jenkins
Comptroller Emeritus
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Frank Jenkins

April 18, 2013

To the Perkins family,
Baton Rouge has lost another giant in the passing of Huel. I spoke with him recently at the funeral of another local legend. He has always been such a "total class act." Impeccable manners, soft-spoken with deep wisdom, gentle and conciliatory- I always felt I went away a better person after having a conversation with him. LSU, Southern, the Baton Rouge community, and so many others owe him a great debt of gratitude for his tremendous contributions and wonderful spirit!
Thank you for sharing him with us. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the time to come.

Don Eisenberg

April 18, 2013

Mrs Perkins and Huel,

My Condolences go out to you. Your husband and father was truly a great educator but even a better person. May he rest in peace. My fondest memories of him were when we played tennis together and how he would always donate tennis balls to students trying to learn the game. He touched so many lives and will not be forgotten.

Albert Clark - Baton Rouge, Louisiana

April 18, 2013

Our condolences to Huel and the family. A great man with a great legacy.

Steve Fishman

April 18, 2013

I was very sorry to learn of Dr. Perkins passing. He was a true inspiration to many. As a child I so enjoyed hearing him speak. Not only was he a church member but a role modle for me and many young people in Louisiana..I offer my sincere condolences to Ms. Thelma and the entire Perkins family. May God grant unto your family the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Sonya Hall

April 18, 2013

Sincere condolences to Dr. Perkins' family, friends, and all those whose lives he impacted personally and professionally. Education was his passion and you knew that intimately when you talked with him. Although life for him has ended, his legacy continues to thrive and serve others in their pursuit and quest for that knowledge that enriches their lives and opens doors of opportunity and success. Well done, good and faithful servant! Peace and prayers to Dr. Perkins and his grieving family.

Tommy Darensbourg

April 17, 2013

Charlotte Bowers

April 17, 2013

My condolences to the family. Your father added so much value to my life. Blessings to you all. ...Charlotte Bowers, Member, Mt. Zion Baptist Church, student Louisiana State University, graduate, Southern University.

April 17, 2013

Mrs. Perkins and Huel,
We were saddened to hear of Dr. Perkins passing. He was a giant among men. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. He will truly be missed!

Ron, Marlon, and Pat Green Smith

April 17, 2013

Please accept my condolences. Dr. Perkins was an inspiration and will be remembered fondly, by many. May God give you comfort, peace and understanding at this time. Put your trust in Him and He will direct your path.

Clotiel Riley Nelson, From Baton Rouge

April 17, 2013

My prayers for you and family during this time of loss. May your memories of life together comfort you.

Barbara Pate

April 17, 2013

Dear Ms. Thelma & Huel,
My heart is breaking for you and the rest of the family. What a sweet "gentle"man your husband/father was. I feel so blessed to have gotten to know him. I've always said I could have listened to him read a phone book because it would have sounded like poetry -- a trait he passed on to you, Huel. He was so proud of you and loved to share with me what you were doing career wise. I will always remember the list of books you must read to be a well-rounded individual that he told one class of Teens as Leaders about. Every adult at the breakfast also asked for list, including me. I've read some of them but think now I need to get busy and read the rest.
May you find some solace in the fact that this giant of touched so many people's lives. Please know I'm keeping you all in my thoughts & prayers, and that I would be at the funeral if work obligations didn't prevent it.

Pam Kennon Bordelon

April 17, 2013

Eddie & Gladys Hildreth

April 17, 2013

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