Lola Perkins

Born the fifth of ten siblings on August 31, 1943, Minister Rendy Lola Perkins grew up on a sharecropping farm in Winnsboro, Louisiana. A skinny child with a nurturing spirit, she preferred to be called by her middle name, Lola. As a classic middle child, she served as the family’s peacekeeper—always agreeable and loyal. Her family cherished her as a fantastic cook and a prized coffee maker for her father, whom they all called Papa. She was a natural relationship builder, able to relate to both older and younger people—a skill she would put to even greater use later in life.

Life in the South was extremely arduous. After racially motivated incidents that threatened the safety of their family, her parents packed up the children, along with a few belongings, and moved across the country to San Francisco, California, during the Second Great Migration. As a teenager, she embarked on a new life in the city with her siblings by her side and eventually graduated from Galileo High School. Shortly thereafter, she met Albert Perkins at a dance social, and the two were married. She later earned an associate degree in nursing from Merritt College.

Lola led a fulfilling life as a wife and mother to four children. She began working outside the home for the first time in 1981 as a preschool teacher and remained in the childcare field to stay close to her youngest child, Makailah. That decision would change the course of her life and prove that it is never too late to start a new legacy.

Eventually, Lola and her younger children moved to Milpitas, where she advanced from teacher’s aide to director of Jubilee Preschool. She was wise, motivated, passionate, and full of vision and confidence. With enrollment at its peak and plans for expansion, she eventually took ownership of the business and renamed the school Jubilee Academy.

In addition to her ministry and business, Lola enjoyed shopping at Nordstrom and consignment boutiques, and she was an accomplished gardener. She was famous for her baked macaroni and cheese, fancy Jell-O molds, collard greens with cornbread, and her Spritz cookies, which she lovingly gave as Christmas gifts.

In 2006, Lola shifted from entrepreneurship to a season of part-time retirement and ministry. She founded a nonprofit organization, Encouraging the Weary, where her compassion and empathy continued to shine. She served faithfully at a skilled nursing facility, as well as at Jubilee Christian Center, Logos Christian Fellowship, and Redemption Church. For 15 years, she was part of International New Wave Ministries, led by one of her dearest friends, Minister Dorothy Daniels. Through this ministry, she was ordained and ministered to hundreds of people who became dear to her heart. Lola eagerly met with anyone in need of prayer, counsel, or encouragement; she was both generous and discreet in her care for others. In 2013, at the age of 70, she completed Bible College at Impact School of Ministry. Lola was overjoyed by the arrival of her first grandchild, James (Jake), in 2011—a moment she had eagerly awaited. As a grandmother to Jake, Imarah, Judah, Justice, and Love, she poured her extensive child development experience into nurturing them. She found delight in taking walks with them in Milpitas, reading, singing, and, of course, “training them up” (Proverbs 22:6).

Her siblings and extended family were a constant presence in her life. They visited often, and she rarely—if ever—went a day without speaking to at least one of her siblings. They laughed together, leaned on each other, and prayed through difficult times. Their bond was unbreakable.

Motivated by her faith in God, Lola emphasized the importance of walking in integrity, assuming the best in others, letting God’s love be the guiding force, and above all, speaking truth. She was generous with both her heart and her wisdom. She loved being a Warriors fan, a mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, sister, and friend.

Lola is survived by her children—Delphina Perkins, Kenneth Perkins, Hasina Aleman (Jorge), and Makailah Cesena (Dany); her grandchildren—Jake, Imarah, Judah, Justice, and Love; and her siblings—Kate Eaglin, Roberta Floyd, Alice Pleasant (Benjamin), Maggie Cunningham, Pastor Isaac Neal (Starr), Eli Neal (Demetris), Ralph Neal, and Gwen Smith (Donald). She is also survived by her nieces and nephews, including those of her former husband, Al Perkins, as well as a host of cousins.

Lola is preceded in death by her brother, Joe Neal, and her parents, Melissa and Charlie Neal.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Lola Perkins, please visit our floral store.