Aurelia Dorsett Perkins

Posted on December 1, 2017

Loving wife, mother and grandmother, Aurelia Dorsett Perkins, 100, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, in Tallahassee where she resided for many years.
She was born Oct. 16, 1916, in Fenholloway, near Perry, to Carrabelle and Grover Cleveland Jackson.
Aurelia was preceded in death by the “love of her life,” her husband, Henry P. Dorsett, a business and civic leader in Perry, to whom she was married for 40 years, and later, by second husband, Jack Perkins of Tallahassee.
She was also predeceased by her brothers, Broward, Morgan and James Jackson, and a sister, Jewel Hutchinson.
She is survived by one sister, Mary Jane Pozzo of Huntsville, Ala.; and by two daughters, Gale Dorsett Dickert and son-in-law, John, of Madison and Dianne Dorsett Davis and son-in- law, Bob, of Tallahassee; three grandchildren, John Davis and wife, Angie, of Tallahassee, Dina (Dickert) James and husband, Mike, of Monticello, Lisa (Dickert) Flournoy and husband, Jim, of Madison; and seven great-grandchildren, Ryan Davis, Fort Myers, Ethan Davis, Wilmington, S.C., Dakota Davis, Tallahassee, Jim and John Flournoy, Madison, and Danielle and Heather James, Monticello; and many nieces and nephews.
A gifted musician, Aurelia shared her love of music all of her life, starting at age 13 when she played violin in church for her father, a Baptist minister. For more than 60 years she was a faithful pianist at church, first as a member of First Baptist Church in Perry, and later as a member of Tallahassee’s Forest Heights Baptist Church. And, loving to entertain well into her 90s, she often delighted family and friends at family gatherings by “tearing up the keyboard” with a rollicking rendition of “ragtime” and Christmas songs. An avid gardener and floral designer, Aurelia served as president of the Perry Garden Club several times and was a member for more than 60 years. As one of Florida’s first Master Flower Show Judges, she often judged regional shows and taught Floral Design at Taylor Technical Institute. After moving to Tallahassee, she was an active member of Tallahassee Garden Club for many years. She was also a tough bridge competitor, belonging to clubs in Perry and Tallahassee. She loved to play bridge and golf, and was once Women’s Golf Champion at Perry Golf and Country Club.
Her gentle manner, kindness and artistic contributions lifted the spirits of all who knew her.
A combined visitation and funeral service will be held at Burn’s Funeral Home in Perry on Friday, Sept. 22, at 10:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Perry Garden Club, P.O. Box 33, Perry, FL 32348, or Boys and Girls Club, 918 N. Washington St., Perry, FL 32347.