Carol Anne Perkins, age 77, passed away at home in Vienna, Virginia, on February 21, 2025, in the arms of her loving husband of 52 years.
Carol Anne, devoted wife, sister, beloved mother, and grandmother, was born on March 18th, 1947, in Meridian, Mississippi. She moved to Atlanta, Georgia in her teens and graduated from Sandy Springs High School. She attended the University of Georgia, where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She married fighter pilot Tom Perkins on June 10, 1972, where she quickly took on the toughest job in the Navy: Navy wife!
A small-town girl, she quickly endorsed the phrase “Home is where the Navy sends you.” She relished her role as a Commanding Officer’s wife and had a close bond with her fellow “COWs.” With travels all over the country and the Far East, including a three-year stint in Japan, she visited many countries, one of her favorites being Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her travels broadened her experiences and deepened her appreciation for different cultures. Among her most treasured pastimes were gatherings with her dear friends from Japan, where she built lasting friendships that spanned years and miles.
Carol Anne had a passion for creativity and connection. She found joy in scrapbooking, preserving cherished memories with care and artistry. During her decades as a Navy spouse, she opened her home to countless families for love and support. She also spent her time as a treasured volunteer and enjoyed attending church with Tom. And she loved her college football – Go Dawgs!
With a vibrant spirit and a great sense of humor, Carol Anne was adored by those who knew her. A consummate Southern lady, she was always put together and wouldn’t leave the house without lipstick. She was known for her kindness and unshakeable devotion to her loved ones. She loved to socialize, dance (especially to the rock and roll of the 50s and 60s), and was especially talented at bringing joy and laughter to her adored grandchildren.
Carol Anne is loved and greatly missed by her devoted husband, Tom; her daughter, Jennifer (Brent) Tingle of Charlotte, NC; her son, Jeffrey (Whitney) Perkins of Trabuco Canyon, CA; her brother, Robert Hyer of Lillian, AL; stepsisters Ina Dickerson of Gulf Breeze, FL; Linda Murphy of Pensacola, FL and by her beloved grandchildren, Ella Tingle, Kingston Perkins and Mariah Perkins. She is also survived by many cousins, nephews, and nieces. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anne Newell Hyer, her father, Louie Hyer, and her very special furry companion, Max.
Her love, laughter, warmth, and the joyful moments she shared will forever be a testament to a life well-lived. Her legacy lives on through the memories she created. May her memory bring comfort to all who held her dear.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation. (https://www.alzdiscovery.org)
Arrangements are entrusted to Adams Green Funeral Home – 721 Elden St., Herndon, Virginia.(https://www.adamsgreen.com)
A Memorial service is planned for Saturday, 26 April at 2 PM.
Updated: March 23, 2025
Curator: Ed Moore