Etta Smith Perkins

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ETTA SMITH PERKINS was the 4th of 10 children born to Henry Daniel Smith, Sr. and Rebecca Sanders Smith on June 7, 1931. At age 4, Etta moved to Selma with her family and resided on the campus of Selma University, where she attended elementary and secondary school through 12th grade.

On July 1, 1950, Etta married the love of her life, James Perkins, Sr. The two lived an amazing life together for 71 years. To this union, four children were born: Remigia Diann, James, Jr., Sabrina Jevita, who preceded her in death, and Synethia Electa. 

As a young child, Etta Smith Perkins was baptized at West Trinity Baptist Church, under the pastorate of Reverend C.H. Parker, where she served faithfully as a Sunday School, B.T.U., and Vacation Bible School teacher and a choir member. She continued in those ministry areas when, in 1974, she joined her husband, Deacon James Perkins, Sr., at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Dr. F.D. Reese. Until her health no longer allowed her to serve physically, Mrs. Perkins enriched the hearts of both congregations with her soul-stirring, deeply anointed singing. Most memorably, she captivated the admiration of a young and resolute Mr. Perkins, Sr., as her voice soared through the West Trinity choir with the melodious strains of "I Know the Lord Will Make a Way." At Ebenezer, her dedication extended beyond song, as she played a pivotal role in establishing a countywide Nurses Guild, led numerous pastoral anniversary celebrations with grace and diligence, and faithfully chaired the Willing Workers ministry for many years, leaving an indelible mark on the church community. Mrs. Perkins also served as a New Members Ministry Counselor while standing with her husband as a Deaconess, Ward Team Leader, and member of the Missionary Society. She also served with him on the Spirit of Nehemiah Movement.  

Etta Perkins began her professional career in March 1950, when she entered the first class at the Good Samaritan Hospital School of Practical Nurses, graduating in 1951. At Good Samaritan Hospital, Etta, with the exception of the business department, served as a charge nurse in almost every area of the hospital, including the Emergency Room, which she said she enjoyed the most. She was one of the Good Samaritan graduates who became an instructor in the hospital’s School of Nursing LPN program, where she taught for five years. Etta remained at her much-loved “Good Sam” until its closing in 1983. In addition to her years at Good Samaritan, Mrs. Perkins spent time working at Burwell Infirmary, two years at the Veteran’s Hospital in Downey, IL, Dunn Rest Home, Warren Manor Nursing Home, the Dallas County Health Department, Selma City Schools, and as an office nurse for Dr. Chudy Okoye. Mrs. Perkins was a member of numerous state and national professional organizations for years, serving as President of the Selma LPN Association. In 1965, Mrs. Perkins was an officer in the Association for the Improvement of Medical Services (AIMS), where she, along with Dr. F.D. Reese, signed the letter to integrate waiting rooms in the segregated doctors’ offices. Recognizing the need to advance in the nursing field, in the early 1970s, Mrs. Perkins seized the opportunity to become a full-fledged R.N., graduating in the first Associate Nursing Degree Program at Wallace Community College-Selma in 1973.

In addition to health care and religious service, Mrs. Perkins served the Selma-Dallas County community in numerous leadership capacities. For 10 years, she served as Troop Leader of Girl Scout Troop #423, being Selma-Dallas County's first African American Troop Leader; was appointed to the Selma-Dallas County Public Library as its first African American Board member and was a charter member of The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. Mrs. Perkins served on the American Red Cross, Head Start, and Vaughan Home Health boards and was a Selma-Dallas County AARP charter member for many years. She was an active member of the Alabama New South Coalition and the Alabama Democratic Conference. Her story as a nurse in the Civil Rights Movement was documented in Joyce Hart’s production entitled, Sisters of Selma, and was featured on nationwide television.

In 2004, the newspaper, The Alabama Nurse, featured Etta Smith Perkins, R.N., "Like a Beacon in the Night," spotlighting her life accomplishments in nursing, the community, church, and family. In the 2009 issue of Advances of Nursing Science, a publication that chronicled the history of Good Samaritan Hospital and its School of Nursing, Etta Smith Perkins was also featured. In 2014, she was honored by Wallace Community College-Selma Health Science Department for 50 years of service as a member of the 1974 graduating class. Mrs. Perkins was one of four inaugural nurses featured in the 2022 published book Alabama Notable Nurses, honored for over 35 years in the profession. Because of her many years of unselfish service as a “personal nurse” to many and countless hours responding to house calls, Mrs. Perkins was affectionately known as the community nurse. When being honored at a reunion for the "Good Sam" School of Nursing graduates, her former boss, hospital administrator, John Crear, paid tribute to her as “Someone who puts her heart into everything she does, whether at the hospital, at home, or in the community.”

Her favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:5, "In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." Her daily prayer was, "Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

Etta Smith Perkins joined James Perkins, Sr., her forever-love in the heavenly realm, on February 27, 2025, and leaves to carry on their impactful legacy to three children: Remigia Nordé (Roger), Honorable Mayor James Perkins, Jr. (Cynthia), Synethia Pettaway (Honorable Judge Collins, Jr.); seven wonderfully gifted grandchildren: Honorable Judge Vernetta Walker (Darrell), Reginald Rutledge (Tina),  Justin Perkins (Regina), Tiffini Chandler (Brandon), Collins Pettaway, III, Jarius Perkins (Amber), and Candice Celeste Pettaway; thirteen precious great-grandchildren; two devoted sisters: Harriette Nellum and Alice Martin (Johnny); sixteen nieces, ten nephews; four loyal godchildren: Dr. Tracey Shannon (Jack), Sabrina Crooke (Theodore), Margaret Swift, Reverend Marvin Thomas; one faithful god-grandchild, Monika Jackson; many other godchildren who affectionately called her “Momma,” a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Sunday, March 16, 2025 at 3:00PM from Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church with the Reverend James Perkins, Jr., officiating. Burial will follow in the Serenity Memorial Gardens with Aubrey Larkin's Lewis Brothers Funeral Home of Selma, AL serving with excellence through professional service.  

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