Tommy Perkins

Tommy Reid Perkins, 81, of Hixson, passed away Tuesday, April 9, 2013.He was born in Morris Chapel, Tenn., on July 5, 1931. A graduate of Morris Chapel High School and Memphis State University and received a masters of social work from University of Tennessee. He was employed by Hamilton County Department of Human Services, Chattanooga and Davidson County Department of Human Services, Nashville, also director of Child Welfare, state of Tennessee, Nashville. He was the first director of Family and Children Services, Chattanooga, now called Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, which served as model for other agencies. After retirement he worked as a Senior Fellow for Child Welfare League of America.He was a member of Hixson United Methodist Church and the Upper Room Sunday School Class. He held many offices in the church and was a delegate to Annual Conference for over 15 years. He served on numerous local, state and National Boards in the field of social work, receiving many honors and awards in this field on the National, State, City and County levels.He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Mallie Perkins; brother, Kenneth R. Perkins; sister, Lonnette Perkins.He is survived by his wife, Helen Bailey Perkins; son, Tommy (Bronwyn) Perkins Jr., Acworth, Ga.; grandchildren, Kenny Perkins, Kaleb Perkins, Jacob Perkins, Heather Laird, Randy Fifield, Daniel Fifield; three great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.Funeral services will be at 11:30 a.m. Monday, April 15, 2013 in the funeral home chapel with the Rev. Reed Shell, the Rev. Paul Longmire and The Honorable Clarence Shattuck officiating.Burial will follow at Chattanooga National Cemetery. Honorary pallbearers will be the Upper Room Sunday School Class of Hixson United Methodist Church.Memorial contributions may be made to Hixson United Methodist Church, 5301 Old Hixson Pike, Hixson, TN 37343, or Partnership for Families, Children and Adults, 1800 McCallie Ave., Chattanooga, TN 37404.Visit www.heritagefh.com to share words of comfort to the family and view the memorial tribute.The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421.