Clayborn 'Bee' Perks

Visitation for Clayborn A. “Bee’’ Perks 66, will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2015 from 8:00 am to 10:45 am with funeral services following, at 11:00 am, both at New Zion Baptist Church, 251 Nimitz, St., Eunice, LA. Pastor Allen W. Ben officiating.
He died on October 29, 2014 at 2:52 pm at Florida Hospital, in Tampa.
Clayborn was a native of Eunice and a resident of Land O Lakes, Fla.
He was a member of First Baptist Church of College Hill, where he was a member of the FBCCH Male Chorus and volunteered at Abe Brown Ministries.
He graduated from Charles Drew High School in Eunice, class of 1966. He attended Southern University in Baton Rouge, LA where he pledged Wine Psi Phi Fraternity. He was a U.S. Navy veteran
He married Ms. Beverly Lemelle Perks in 1969 and moved to Kingsville, TX where he was stationed. Through his experiences and skills acquired in the Navy, he saw a niche in the hospitality industry. He received his degree in Hotel Management from Lewis Hotel Management School in Washington, D.C.
When the Perks relocated to Houston, they were blessed with the birth of their son, André Clayborn. He then became a Missionary with the Shrine of The Black Madonna, Pan-African Orthodox Christian Church under Rev. Albert Clege, Jr.
Career opportunities for Mr. Perks brought the family to Atlanta, GA for a short period and then onto Tampa, FL. While in Tampa, FL he operated a limo business and Perks’ personalized Auto Detail Service.
After a few years, he retired and served as an Adjutant for the late Rev. Abraham Robert Brown of First Baptist Church of College Hill in Tampa. Rev. Brown became a father figure and one of his best friends. His Spirituality was further nurtured as Clay enjoyed attending the Bishop T.D. Jakes, “ManPower’’ conferences. Some of his hobbies included, listening to all genres of music, service to the under-privileged and elderly in the community and receiving the fresh “Rhema’’ word daily.
Everyone who knew Clay, knew he loved children and the elderly. His generous spirit was like a magnet which drew all to him.
Always the “life of the party’’, people gravitated towards him and he loved the sight of people being “tickled’’ and having fun! Thus he is and will be unforgettable in the hearts and minds of many friends from various walks of life.
Clayborn’s memories will be cherished by his loving wife of 45 years, Beverly Lemelle Perks of Land O’Lakes, FL; sons, André (Jill) Perks of Bend, Oregon, and Kearie Perks of Houston, TX; daughters, Ayanna Perks of Pensacola, FL, and Sha-Dana Boyd (Jason) of Houston, TX; brother, Melvin S. Greene III of Lansing, MI; 7 grandchildren: Aja Perks, Kai Perks, Justin Richards, Giovanni Perks and Sophia Perks, Rylin Boyd and Russell Boyd; father-in-law, Joseph E. Meche; special relatives, Anthony and LeDora Brown and children; and special mentor, Pastor Emeritus, Rev. Abraham Robert Brown, PhD; and a host of loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
Clayborn was preceded in death by his mother, Susie Clark Perks Green; his daddy, Rev. Melvin Greene; father, Rev. James Porter Perks; brother, James Alexander Perks; mother-in-law, Sadie M. Lemelle; and brother-in-law, Byron C. Lemelle.
Pallbearers will be Pride J. Doran, Jeremiah E. Bell, James A. Tate, Jay Anderson, Anthony Brown, and Michael Victorian.
Franks Brothers Funeral Home, 150 Townhome Dr., Eunice, LA (337) 457-7533 is in charge of arrangements.