Judy (Reynolds) Perkins

JUDY (REYNOLDS) PERKINS, age 81 of Clanton, passed away on January 9, 2026, in Thorsby, Alabama. She was born on October 20, 1944; the daughter of the late A.D. Reynolds and the late Julia Seales Reynolds.

Judy was a godly and faithful servant of the Lord whose life was devoted to ministry, compassion, and unwavering obedience to God’s calling. She was an active member of West End Baptist Church in Clanton for many years, where she faithfully served as a Sunday School teacher, teaching the senior ladies class whom she loved very much. Judy had a deep love for sharing God’s Word and encouraging others in their walk of faith.

While ministry was central to her life, Judy’s greatest earthly joy was her family. She deeply loved her husband, children and grandchildren and was a devoted, nurturing, and prayerful mother and grandmother. She took great pride in her family and cherished every opportunity to support, encourage, and care for them. Her heart was always open and her care was always offered. Her love, wisdom, and steadfast faith were constant sources of comfort and guidance to those she loved most.

She also had a heart for missions and outreach, faithfully serving in Operation Christmas Child for more than 30 years.  She looked forward to traveling yearly to volunteer in Atlanta at the OCC warehouse and offered the most fervent prayers over the boxes she touched.  Judy designed her own doll to be used as filler in the shoeboxes distributed each year. Through this ministry, she lovingly created and donated more than 2,000 dolls, touching the lives of children around the world and sharing the love of Christ in a meaningful and tangible way.

Alongside her husband, the late Rev. Joe Perkins, Judy served faithfully in jail ministry for many years. Following his passing, she continued ministering within the Chilton County Jail, accumulating more than 25 years of service. Her dedication, compassion, and faithfulness left a lasting impact on countless lives as she brought hope, prayer, and the message of salvation to those she served.

Judy was also a familiar and cherished presence at Hatley Healthcare, where she regularly taught Bible study and visited with residents, offering comfort, encouragement, and the love of Christ through her gentle spirit and kind heart.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Joseph J. Perkins, and her daughter, Julee Perkins.

She is survived by her son, Jeff Perkins of Verbena; her daughter, Jessica (Scotty) Patterson of Thorsby; her grandson, Draven Patterson of Thorsby; her granddaughters, Rhiannon Perkins of Birmingham and Breckon Bondell of Atlanta; her great-grandson, Colin Bondell of Atlanta; her sisters, Gina (Billy) Cassady of Mobile and Debbie (Ragon) Cross of Gulf Shores; and many loving nieces and nephews from both sides of the family.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 2:00 p.m., from West End Baptist Church, with Rev. Daniel Wilson and Rev. James Watkins officiating.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

 Inurnment will follow at a later date in the Enon Baptist Cemetery in Centreville, Alabama.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the Pattersons for lovingly adopting “Maw” and treating her as their own. Special appreciation is also expressed to the staff and doctors of UAB St. Vincent–Chilton Hospital for the compassionate care provided to Judy, and to Southern Care Hospice, who ministered faithfully to Judy and her family during her final days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made in Judy’s memory to the West End Baptist Church Building Fund. Judy’s favorite color was red, and the family kindly requests that those attending the services wear a touch of red in her memory.

Judy leaves behind a powerful legacy of faith, service, and love that will continue to live on through her family, her church family, and the countless lives she touched through her ministry.

“Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much:” - 

Luke 7:47

Final care and arrangements entrusted to the Ellison Memorial Funeral Home of Clanton, AL.

www.EllisonMemorialFuneralHome.com