Lela Margaret Sandifer Perkins

Lela Margaret Sandifer Perkins, 69, died Thursday, September 28, 2023, at Baptist Memorial Hospital – North Mississippi. The funeral will be Monday, October 2, 2023, at 10:00 A.M. at Christ Presbyterian Church of Oxford with Rev. Les Newsom officiating. Visitation will be held Sunday, October 1, 2023, from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. in West Hall of Waller Funeral Home. Burial will be at Greenfield Cemetery in Glen Allan, MS at 3:00 P.M.

Lela was born on September 3, 1954, in Greenville, MS, to the late Bettye Middleton and Paul Sandifer. Her childhood years were split between Cheyenne, Wyoming and the Mississippi Delta and spent her adult life in Mississippi, raising her children in Hollandale before moving to Madison and then Oxford.

Lela graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, earning her Master’s Degree in Speech Pathology and spending the early part of her career working in special education. A gifted communicator, she had a special ability to connect with others that led her career down several paths. Lela served as the Western Line School Superintendent in Washington County and later became a Partner and Human Resource Director for a home health company. She eventually settled into her most recent role as the Human Resources director and Manager for S&F and Associates, spending much of her time managing her children’s dental practices in North Mississippi.

Lela loved to travel, especially with family or friends to the beaches of 30A or to Napa Valley to nurture her love of fine wine. Her most recent trip was a long-anticipated Mediterranean cruise with Jack. When at home, Lela loved to curl up on the couch with a book and her beloved dogs, Dakota, Delta, and CoCo. Since moving to Oxford to be closer to her children, Lela became an ardent supporter of the Rebels, regularly attending baseball, football, and basketball games at the University.

Lela is especially remembered for her warm hospitality, boundless energy, and generosity. Her home was always open to all and was known as the gathering place for her friends and those of her children and grandchildren. She found great joy in hosting, feeding, and looking after them all, even their dogs. Lela’s nurturing and inviting nature enveloped each person who walked through her doors, making them instantly feel at home. Lela was known for her delicious food for these crowds including her famous lasagna, Darden cake, and hush puppies (with her recipe published in Southern Living).

Of all the roles she filled throughout her life, her favorite was that of “Nana” to her eight grandchildren, all of whom she loved dearly. Lela’s beautiful and kind spirit made her the very best wife, mother, and grandmother one could ask for. She was a fierce defender of those she loved and instilled her values in her children – to be kind, strong, and strive to be your best.

Lela is survived by her husband, Jack Perkins of Oxford, MS; daughter, Dr. Jessica Perkins and her partner, Dr. Joseph “Jody” Holland, of Oxford, MS; sons, Dr. Hayden Perkins and his wife, Jessica, of Oxford, MS and Dr. Rhett Perkins and his wife, Alison, of Indianapolis, IN; step-mother, Dr. Mary Sandifer of Silver Spring, MD; step-sister, Karen Holmcrans of Silver Spring, MD; and eight grandchildren, Preston Perkins, Ashton Perkins, John Seton Perkins, Anne Hayden Perkins, Walker Perkins, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Perkins, Madeline Holland, and Elise Holland. She was preceded in death by her parents.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Lela’s memory may be made to Oxford Animal Resource Center, 413 McElroy Drive, Oxford, MS 38655 or to the American Cancer Society, Post Office Box 42040, Oklahoma City, OK 73123.