Vera Bell Perkins Abraham
A Mass of Christian Burial for Vera Bell Perkins Abraham will be held Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
Visitation will be held in Union Baptist Church Sanctuary, located at 1014 S. Main Street in Jennings, from 9-10:45 a.m., with a rosary recited at 9:15 a.m.
Interment will be at Benevolent Cemetery in Jennings.
Vera passed away at home with family on Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, after battling a lengthy illness.
She was born Dec. 1, 1932, to Andrew Lee Perkins and Irene Gloston in Hathaway. She was the second of 12 children.
Ms. Vera married Bernard Abraham in February 1964. She did not have biological children, however, she nurtured all of her nieces, nephews and students with love and patience for which she was so well-known.
Ms. Vera Abraham was well-known in the community as an educator for over 30 years. She was a 1954 high school graduate of Jeff Davis Training School. She then proceeded to graduate from Grambling State University in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She continued her education by earning a master’s degree in elementary education, plus 30 more hours from Southern University and McNeese State University.
Most of her years of teaching were at James Ward Elementary and Northside Jr. High until retirement in 1986. She continued working in the Jeff Davis Parish School System at the Parent Center until approximately 2013.
During her years of teaching, she also volunteered as the 4-H Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother for many years.
Her community involvement did not end with schoolrelated activities. She was an active member of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Catholic Church since her marriage in 1964. She served as Catechism Director, Church Parish Council member, president of the Evangelization Team, Grand Lady and Area Deputy for the Knights and Ladies of St. Peter Claver 132, Counselor for the Junior Daughters of St. Peter Claver 132, member of the 4th Degree Ladies of St. Peter Claver, member of Catholic Charities of the Lake Charles Diocese and member of The Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
One of her most well-known and loved positions was director of the Summer Feeding Program from 2000-2019.
She was quoted that this program “helped kids stay off the streets and stay out of trouble.” Other organizations close to Vera’s heart include Jeff Davis Council on Aging, JALH Advisory Board, Foster Grandparent Advisory Board, Big Brothers, and Sisters, Save the Children Headstart, Jeff Davis Parish Business Alliance, Caring Hands, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 520, Teacher’s Retirement of JDP, The Red Hat Society, National Association of University Women and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
She received countless awards as Outstanding Citizen of the Year for JDP in 2007, Legacy of Achievement Award from JDPSB, as well as a “Hidden Gem” for Black History Month at LSUE in 2019.
December 2, 2002, was also proclaimed as “Vera Abraham Day” by former Jennings Mayor Greg Marcantel.
She has left a true legacy of service to her community and her contributions are priceless.
Vera was preceded in death by her mother and father; her husband, Bernard Abraham; and her five brothers, Paul Perkins, Earl Perkins, Ervin “Dee” Perkins, Donald Perkins, and infant Daniel Perkins. She was also preceded in death by one sister, Nettie Bell Perkins Winston.
Left to cherish her memories are her brothers, Peter Perkins of California, Herbert (Alma) Perkins of Alexandria and Ben Ray Perkins, Sr., of Hathaway. She also leaves two sisters, Mary Bell Perkins-Sonnier of Hathaway and Barbara Ann Perkins-Williams of Lake Charles; one devoted friend and Sister in Christ, Royce Levy; along with a host of nieces, nephews, Godchildren, family and friends.