Lowde Yolanda Perkins, a resident of Pittsburg, California, passed away on November 5, 2023, at the age of 97.  She was born in Prentiss, Mississippi, the daughter of Cornelius and Rosie Payne.  She's survived by 8 nieces and nephews: Vera, Warreace, Gale, Otis, Jr., Alvin, Michele, Sandra and Roland along with great, great-great, great-great-great nieces and nephews; cousins, step-children and a host of close extended family members and friends in the faith.

Lowde was preceded in death by her parents, Cornelius and Rosie Payne; all her siblings and their mates, Otis C. (wife Olivia), Amanda (husband L.C.), Leona (husband Ben) and Helen (husband T.J.); husbands Hervie Barnes and William Perkins; son, Malcolm Barnes.

Lowde attended high school at the Prentiss Normal and Industrial Institute in Prentiss, Mississippi where she excelled and graduated in 1940. She moved to and worked briefly in Washington, D.C. and Flint, Michigan.  She married Hervie Barnes who was serving in the Navy.  They had one son. From there they moved to Merced, California.  After a short stay, the family moved to Columbia Park (a military housing development) in Pittsburg, California.

Lowde went on to pursue a nursing career.  It was that career that led her to work for Contra Costa County in Martinez at the County Hospital starting in October 1, 1955.  She worked there a number of years and then transferred to outpatient clinic services at the Pittsburg Health Center on Civic Avenue and later School Street.  She transferred again to the Contra Costa Health Plan Department in Martinez, working up and down Highway 4 from Oakley to Richmond (and everything in-between) signing individuals up to the County's medical health plan, CCHP.  She'd eventually retire from the "County" on October 15, 1988, after working 33 years.  Lowde was so good at what she did, it took three people to pick up her workload.

Through her older sister, Helen and brother-in-law, T.J. Simes, she began a study of God's word.  She realized that it was the truth.  She dedicated her life to Jehovah and symbolized it in water baptism on May 30, 1948, at the San Francisco Cow Palace along with T.J. and Helen.  The door-to-door ministry was an important part of her spiritual routine.  She very much enjoyed table/cart witnessing.  Attending congregation meetings with the Loveridge/Pittsburg congregation, assigned assemblies and regional conventions were also important to her.  She often attended with her sister Helen and family and her father Cornelius.  When she was still able to attend the congregation meetings, you could always count on seeing her seated in her favorite seat in the front to the left of the Kingdom Hall.

Lowde was very generous with her time and resources.  Many in the community remember how she on many occasions went out of her way to make sure they had the proper medical insurance coverage, or a ride to their doctor's appointments (even sometimes picking them up herself).  She was always an advocate for the "little guy". Lowde believed in dressing to the "nines".  Her clothes closet was lovingly called "Nordstrom II".  Over the years Lowde enjoyed travelling and spending much time with her oldest niece (they often spoke daily on the phone). Her nieces and nephews also remember her generosity in buying them special outfits especially for the Memorial or providing them with extra funds to attend special and/or international conventions.  However, it was important to her to contribute to help cover the congregation's expenses or special building projects. She never missed a month.

Lowde had a sharp sense of humor, a ready smile and was a tireless advocate for anyone who needed information to resources or assistance.  Many of us may have special memories of our encounter with Lowde.  We will miss her until the moment that she opens her eyes again and we can enjoy life forever in paradise with her.

A memorial service has been scheduled by the Loveridge Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses for Saturday, November 18, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. (PST) at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses located at 385 E. 12th Street in Pittsburg.