Iva Perkins

Iva "Jean" (Ison) Perkins, 96, formerly of Madison, IN, but since 2004, of Louisville, KY, passed away on May 30, 2021. She was a member of both the Dupont Baptist Church and the Pewee Valley Baptist Church. She was born on Dec 8, 1924, in Linefork, KY, to the late Byrd and Clara (Nolan) Ison. Jean was preceded in death by her loving husband, Roy D Perkins, and her brother, Harold Ison.

She was a devoted, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Raised in the hills of Eastern Kentucky, she overcame extreme poverty, and studied hard. She graduated from Kingdom Come High School, in Linefork, KY, in 1942. From there she went on to nursing school, graduating from the Methodist Deaconess Hospital School of Nursing in 1946. She was a talented surgical nurse and served in VA facilities and hospitals until it was time to care for her 2 children.

From 1956 onward she was an amazing homemaker, den mother, cook, and faithful supportive wife, and of course, mother. Her cooking skills were truly remarkable. Jean was noted for being an incredibly hard worker, and yet, a very fashionable classy dresser. She was truly a very beautiful woman. She loved a good game - Rook, Runs-n-Sets, Canasta, and she was very competitive. She also loved working jigsaw puzzles. She dearly loved getting together with members of both her family and her husband's.

In her last years, she lived at the Christian Care Community in Louisville, KY. She would want us to extend a huge thanks to the staff there for all the love and care that was given her while she resided there.

Jean is survived by her devoted children, Teri G. (Perkins) & Darryl Sparks, and Mark S & Deborah Perkins; 9 grandchildren, Micah Perkins, Rebekah (Perkins) Deline, Tim Perkins, Steve Perkins, Phil Perkins, Jon Perkins, Naomi Perkins, Grace (Perkins) Blanchard, Christi (Perkins) Johnson, Tasha Sparks, & Emily (Sparks) Murray. She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren. She was also very close to her nieces, Diane Ison Dryden, & Nancy Ison Fine, & her nephew, Greg Ison, & niece Sharon Perkins (Waller) McWhorter; and nephews, Ken, Robin, John, Greg & Joe Perkins, and niece, Gay Perkins Stanley. In addition to these, Jean is survived by many great nieces and nephews, and many cousins and a host of family and friends.

Jean will be greatly missed by family, church members, and friends. The family also wishes to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to her daughter, Teri Perkins Sparks, for her faithful devotion to overseeing all of Jean's affairs in her latter years.

A time of visitation will be from 12 to 2 pm on Sunday, June 6, 2021 at the Newcomer Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, East Louisville Chapel, 235 Juneau Drive, Louisville, KY 40243. A celebration of Jean's life will be at 2pm at the funeral home. A grave side ceremony will follow at the Dupont Cemetery, Dupont, Ind. at 4:30pm.

In lieu of any flowers, contributions in Jean's memory can be made to the Pewee Valley Baptist Church of Pewee Valley, KY. and/or the staff at the Christian Care Community, 11530 Herrick Ln Louisville, KY.

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