Deborah Young Perkins

Deborah Young Perkins, 68 of Dresden, passed away Thursday, June 18, 2026, at her home. Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Bowlin Funeral Home from 11 am until service time at 2 pm. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery.

 Deborah was born in Murray, KY on April 11, 1958 to the late L.E. and Betty Jean Trimble Young and was the oldest of their five children. Deborah graduated from Dresden High School in 1976 and went on to study Education at UTM. During this time she met her husband Ronald Perkins. They married in 1982. Later they were blessed with their son Cody and daughter Colleen and enjoyed forging many family memories together.

 Deborah started her career in Henry County Schools and shortly made her way to Weakley County Schools where she taught Special Education and also served as Beta Club sponsor at Dresden High School. She encouraged her students to see the value in themselves that she saw in them. She retired as Director of Special Education in Weakley County Schools in June of 2022 after over 40 years in education to focus on her favorite title of being DeDe. Becoming a grandmother was her favorite job. In retirement, Deborah was able to spend her time travelling - often to her favorite place, Disney World, with her favorite people, cross-stitching for her children and grandchildren, and playing with and loving her grandchildren.

 Deborah and her family are members of the Martin church of Christ. Deborah's faith and family sustained her through many difficult days. She often shared gospel messages through social media hoping to plant the seed (1 Corinthians 3:6-9) with a lost soul. Her favorite verse was Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

 She is survived by her loving husband Ronald Perkins, son Cody (Natalie) Perkins, daughter Colleen (Andrew) Horner, and her precious grandchildren Todd and Anne Perkins and James and Reagan Horner, her brother Rickie Young of Dresden, TN and sister Pam Smith of Osceola, AR. She was preceded in death by her parents L.E. and Betty Young, brothers Larry Young and Dickie Young, brother-in-law Steve Smith, and nephew Lance Smith.

The family has asked in lieu of flowers donations be made to the ALS Association https://www.als.org/?form=general&s_src=donatebutton&utm_source=donatebutton and the Tennessee Children's Home https://www.tennesseechildrenshome.org/about-us/donate/.