Jean M. Perkins, 83, of DeKalb, IL passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026, in Rock Island, IL surrounded by family. Private services will be held. Burial next to her husband, Jim, at Fairview Park Cemetery, DeKalb, IL. Memorials may be made to Faith Baptist Church, DeKalb.

Jean was born in Butler, Tennessee, the twelfth of fifteen children to John V. and Eva (Strickland) Atwood. She spent her childhood in what became known as “New Butler,” after the original town was relocated to higher ground following the completion of the TVA Watauga Dam in 1948. Those early years shaped Jean’s strong work ethic and sense of responsibility—she helped on the family farm, cared for and mentored her younger siblings. In 1962 she moved to DeKalb, IL where a younger sibling (Lois) soon joined her. Jean worked at Cords where she met her future husband, James Perkins. The two were wed on September 12, 1964 at First Baptist Church.

After a few years at Cords, Jean began working at General Electric, where she retired after over 30 years with the company.

Jean’s biggest joy was her family - son (Greg), daughter (Deanna). She and Jim built their five-acre farmette from the ground up. They raised their own beef, pork, poultry and tended their vegetable and flower gardens. Over 50 years on Lucas Road, many tremendous relationships were grown as neighbors became friends.

Jean was an avid quilter and devout Christian, as a member of First Baptist and most recently, Faith Baptist Churches.

Jean will be greatly missed by her children, Greg (Shelly) Perkins and Deanna (Jim) Elliott; grandchildren, Hayden, Michaela, Jacob, James, and Jason; great-grandchildren, Thompson, Cecelia, and Kendall; siblings, Lois (Joe) Lathrop, Bob (Mary) Atwood, Dorothy Reece, Thelma Margaret Campbell; sister-in-law, Sherry Frankville and, brother-in-law, David Perkins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Jim; siblings: Mamie Hodge, Bill Atwood, Joe Atwood, Earl Atwood, and her beloved dog, Sadie.

Arrangements entrusted to Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Milan.