Linda Janice Ownbey Perkinson was born at home in Cleveland Tennessee on May 1, 1943 to Roy Glenn and LaVerne Ownbey. She was the fifth of six children, who were Jim, Jack, Joe, Judy, Jan, and Juanita. Jan attended the first eight grades at a four-room school near her home, then attended Bradley High School where she graduated valedictorian in a class of 350 students. She then attended the University of Chattanooga on a scholarship where she graduated in three years near the top of her class with a degree in Latin and English. She taught school in Cleveland before marrying Don Perkinson at the University of Chattanooga Chapel on July 31, 1965.
Jan and Don moved to Nashville after marrying and Jan taught English at Overton High School during the 1965-66 school year. Don and Jan moved to Huntsville, AL, in 1966, where Jan worked for NASA for 10 years retiring in 1999. Jan enjoyed painting and attending art shows. They worked in Washington DC during 1989 where Jan worked for the National Park Service working on the Franklin Memorial.
Don and Jan attended the Mayfair Church of Christ for over 46 years, where Jan worked in the daycare and taught Bible class for several years. When the kids were teenagers, they served on the Parent Council for the youth ministry. She was also a longtime volunteer for the World Bible School ministry and Mayfair’s Monday Meal ministry for seniors.
Jan is survived by her husband of 56 years, Don; their two children, David (Allyson) and Cynthia Jones (Ashley); and six grandchildren, Conner, Caleb, and Alex Jones, and Heather Lamb (Preston), Kyle, and Caroline Perkinson.
Visitation will be from 12 to 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 27 at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral will follow in the chapel with Joe Essner officiating. Burial will be in Maple Hill Cemetery.
