Delamere Perkins

BLACKWATER - Delamere G. Perkins, 79, died April 7, 2008 in Blackwater.


Visitation was from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday at the District 1 Service Center. The funeral will be at 7 a.m. today at Blackwater Baptist Church, with Pastor Ron Bowen officiating. Burial will be in West Blackwater Cemetery.

Mrs. Perkins was born April 7, 1929 in Sacaton. She was a social worker before retirement and was one of 15 women who began a program as community health representatives for the Gila River Indian Community. They worked with Gila River Child Protective Services and opened their homes to many displaced children when the courts did not have a place for them. Many of them remember her fondly.

She enjoyed going to the senior center and visiting people there. She was interested in family genealogy. She was a family matriarch and raised her family in the church, where she was active.

Survivors include a daughter, Suzanne Acuna of Coolidge; a son, Erling Blackwater; a sister, Lucinda Antone of Sacaton; a brother, Tellas Whitman of Gila Crossing; 13 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband of 35 years, Willard Perkins, about 10 years ago, and a son, Dale Blackwater.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel is in charge of arrangements.