Iris G. Howell Perkinson, 93, of Madison, Indiana, passed away peacefully Monday, January 26, 2026, in Madison, Indiana.
She was born May 1, 1932, in Blackshear to the late James Alton Howell Sr. and Vera Mae Fowler Howell. She was raised and educated in Blackshear and later graduated from beautician school in Waycross, beginning a lifelong passion for caring for others through her work.
She was united in marriage May 2, 1959 to Raymond Perkinson, with whom she shared 52 devoted years until his passing November 20, 2011. Together, they built a life centered on faith, family, and hard work. A woman of remarkable creativity and determination, she worked tirelessly to provide for her family. She found great joy in her career as a beautician and proudly owned and operated her own hair salon for a time. Her talents extended far beyond the salon - she loved arts and crafts, sewing intricate clothing for porcelain dolls she created and sold to friends and family. She also mastered the art of baking and decorating wedding cakes and special-occasion cakes, bringing beauty and celebration into the lives of many.
Iris and Raymond later relocated from Georgia to the Madison/Hanover, Indiana area, where they resided for 30 years and raised their children. Deeply rooted in her community, she was always eager to serve. After her children were grown, she opened her home and heart as a caregiver for 10 years, providing comfort, dignity and companionship to those in her care. She later worked as a sales associate at Madison Walmart, where she was known for her kindness and strong work ethic, retiring after 15 years of dedicated service. For a brief period, she lived in Millington, Tennessee, where she was an active member of Lucy Baptist Church and the local senior citizens center. She eventually returned to Indiana, where she remained until the time of her passing.
She was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished grandmother and great-grandmother, beloved sister, aunt and friend. Her gentle spirit, generous heart, and unwavering love will be dearly missed by all who were blessed to know her.
She was preceded in death by her parents, James Alton Howell Sr. and Vera Mae Fowler Howell; her husband of 52 years, Raymond Perkinson; her son, Charles Winslow Dixon Jr.; her brothers, James Alton Howell, Jr. and Robert Howell and her sisters, Betty Houston and Edna Collins.
Survivors include her daughters, Diane Lowry (Don), Millington, TN, Anna Lee, Hoboken and Vickie Davis, Chillicothe, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren and several nieces, nephews and other loving relatives.
A viewing will be held from 1-2 p.m. Friday, February 6, at Pearson-Dial Funeral Home.
Graveside funeral services will be held at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 6, at the Hoboken Cemetery in Hoboken.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Sympathy may be expressed by signing the online guestbook at www.pearsondial.com.
Pearson-Dial Funeral Home of Blackshear is honored to serve the Perkinson family during this time.
