A lifelong musician, Gwendolyn Batten Perkins, age 95, of Williamsburg, VA, died on August 5, 2024, after a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

 She is predeceased by her parents Caleb Batten and Shirley Barlow Batten, her siblings Othello, Caleb, Garland, and Jacqueline.  She is survived by her husband Linwood Perkins, children Gwendolyn Perkins Martin (Michael) and John Batten Perkins (Lorraine) both of Williamsburg, grandchildren Laura Lane (Brad), John Martin (Margaret), Charlotte Stone (Matthew), Rachel Crawford (Josh), Rebecca Crockett, William Perkins (Emily) and 16 Great Grandchildren. 

 Gwen was born in Smithfield, VA on July 5, 1929, and raised on the family farm, the youngest of 5 children.  After marriage she moved away but never forgot her Smithfield roots.  She always exhibited the hard work ethic of her rural heritage.  She eventually acquired her home place and renovated the farmhouse. The beloved farm, named La Grange, became Gwen’s and Lin’s weekend getaway enabling visits by her large family and scores of friends for many years. 

 Gwen loved music and theater and began with high school plays graduating from Smithfield High School in 1947.  She then entered the College of William & Mary to study Fine Arts with a concentration in music.  While earning her B.A. degree (1951), she was a dedicated member of the William & Mary Choir, often featured as a soloist.  She was an active participant in the sorority Alpha Chi Omega.  Relying on her natural beauty and musical gifts, in the summer of 1951, she was crowned Miss Smithfield.

 Gwen’s real performance love was Christian music, and she had a lifelong involvement in the musical activities of many churches.  She always had a keyboard in her homes (sometimes both an organ and a piano).  Beginning in her college years up until as recently as this year, she was performing, leading and or playing music for church services.  She has been minister of music, choir director, lead soprano, soloist, and played the piano or organ on untold numbers of Sundays. 

While in college, she met the love of her life, Linwood F. Perkins, Jr., of Norfolk, VA. They were married August 30, 1952, at Williamsburg Baptist Church and, inseparable, have celebrated 72 years of marriage.  

 Gwen’s Christian faith was devout and unshakable.  She studied Christian writings and the Bible extensively and a day didn’t go by without devotionals and prayer.  She taught Sunday School and ministered to thousands through her musical gifts.  She left her family a lifelong example of disciplined love of Jesus Christ.   One of her favorite scriptures was Matthew 11:28 (KJV) “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  That gave her much comfort over the years and in her last days. 

Gwen was involved in her extensive family and could be found at their activities as Mom, Grandmother and “Greatmother.”  She was determined to make the rounds for holidays, celebrations, and all sorts of sports and performances.  Being present and supportive of her family was extremely important for her and Lin.  By all measures, Gwen had a faithful, grateful, and blessed life.

A memorial service will be held at Williamsburg Community Chapel, Williamsburg, VA, on Friday August 9, 2024, at 1:00 pm.  The service will be livestreamed at wcchapel.org/perkins. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to The Arc of Greater Williamsburg (150-d Strawberry Plains Rd., Williamsburg, VA  23188) or New Town School, Inc. (5209 Monticello Ave., Williamsburg, VA  23188) or a charity of your choice. Interment will be private for the family.