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Demetra Perkins

So Much More Than Just a Classroom Teacher

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Demetra Perkins was not an ordinary human being, she was so much more. She was a true gem to the McKenzie community; to know Demetra was to love Demetra. At first glance no one would think she was a warrior, but she was as true soldier in life. Looking at her life, she was the epitome of a warrior; in determination, in spirit, in love and in Christ.
Stricken with polio at a very early age, young Demetra was paralyzed from the neck down. One of the first cases in Gibson County, she was transported to Memphis and was quarantined. Forced to stay a full year in the Memphis Hospital, little Demetra was given news that she would never live a normal life. But her sheer determination proved the medical community wrong.
Demetra noted her illness as a, “dark moment that I realized I could not face life alone. I knew that God would have to walk with me ever step, guide me, assure me, and give me the strength to face life unafraid.”
She placed her faith in the Lord and made Philippians 4:13 (KJV) “I can do all things through Christ who strengthenth me” her personal mantra. The determined little warrior left the hospital with the ability to walk but a paralyzed left arm, Betsy, was her battle wound against polio.
As life presented its challenges to Demetra, she never accepted her paralysis as an excuse for failure. She faced the challenges head-on and battled her way to success.
“With the undergirding faith God provided, I then faced life as it presented itself. I eventually played basketball, tennis and golf, and led an active life.”
At the age of twelve, Demetra’s love for Bethel University bloomed. Her older brother, Harold Scott, served as the starting center for the Wildcat basketball team for four years. When it came time for her to select her college of choice, she chose Bethel.
During her time at Bethel, the young lady flourished on campus where she served as the secretary of the student council and was elected “Miss Bethel.” It was on campus where she met her future husband, Ed Perkins, who was student body president. After graduation, the couple married and made their home in McKenzie for the next 58 years.
Demetra took on the role of classroom teacher for over 30 years. She started teaching reading and coached basketball at Cannon Elementary School in Huntingdon for three years. In 1963, she began her tenure at McKenzie Elementary. It is at McKenzie where Demetra made her lasting mark on so many children.
Now known as Mrs. Perkins to McKenzie, Demetra once again proved she was not run-of-the-mill. The new teacher became a fixture in the life of her students. Prior to the beginning of the school year, she made home visits to each of her students. She wanted to make the connection early with the student and learn about his or her home life.
Demetra knew that teaching was an art and a science. She understood a master teacher does not use a one-size-fits-all approach. By going into the homes, she learned of the students’ needs and she could adapt the material in a meaningful manner; this enabled every student to achieve success. Demetra took the time to help the student grow. She showed encouragement and never had discipline problems in her classroom.
Teachable moments were also important to Mrs. Perkins, especially when it came to Betsy.
“During my 34 years of teaching elementary school, one thing that never changed was the introduction each year of a very important member of the class, Betsy. Betsy was there to teach every child about diversity, that one can still function well despite obvious differences.”
“Betsy, I told them, was my polio souvenir. I explained the history of Betsy as a way to refer to my paralyzed left arm which became an educational tool to show the class that I didn’t always do everything just the way they did, but I still did it. I challenged the class to understand they could accomplish so much more than they thought they could if only they would expand their horizons.”
Mona Martin Batchelor provided an anecdote that truly tells the story of Mrs. Perkins:
I knew early on that McKenzie Elementary School would have a new teacher in the third grade for the coming year and that I had hit the lottery. Mother received a phone call and I was to be in her class! The funny story was that she had to ask around to find out who M A R T I N, R A Y M O N was. No one knew of a little Martin boy named Raymond. Miss Perkins finally discovered that, my parents wishing for a boy, had named me Raymona, rather than Ramona. Mystery solved.
From that moment on, for the rest of the summer, I put my ear to the ground. I planned to learn everything I could about my new teacher. By listening carefully as the adults talked (that’s how we gathered information in those days), I managed to learn that her husband was a man I heard on the radio sometimes. I also learned that she was tall, beautiful, and fashionable. Finally, I learned that I would ‘learn’ about Betsy when school began.

The first day of school arrived and I strode into third grade with that same air of confidence I had gained from “Miss” Sue Kelley back in second grade. Note, I come from a strong primary education game, if there were any doubt.
Was I surprised to discover that ‘Betsy’ was Miss Demetra’s left arm that simply refused to grow after a childhood illness? No, not at all. Miss Perkins made certain that we understood Betsy made her unique rather than limited. Within the first day or so of school, she was demonstrating how she could tie her shoes and challenging us to learn her method of one hand tying.
Throughout that year, I flourished. Miss Demetra’s class was edgy, innovative. We learned Spanish that I recall to this very day. When she could not find a direct translation for Raymona, she named me Rosa, and I liked it.
Someone reminded me last week of her bringing Alpha-Bits cereal to class and doling it out to us for spelling/reading practice. Afterward, we got to “Eat our Words!”
I remember spelling bees every Friday, something I loved. I remember always being challenged, and I remember basking in the glow of a woman who loved her students, a woman who always went the extra mile to make each student feel special.
With her death, many left comments on social media regarding her impact on their lives:
Tammy Hearn Goodrum, “I had Mrs. Perkins for my 5th grade teacher. I remember her teaching us some Spanish and because of her I know how to sing The Ten Little Indian Boys in Spanish!”
Tina Hart Umstead, “My mother passed away the year I was in Mrs. Perkins’ class. She was so loving and understanding. She played a big part in helping me get through such a traumatic event in my life.”
Tina Deaton, “I had Ms. Perkins, I want to say my 5th or 6th grade year. She always had a smile and was willing to help her students. She will be missed. I would also like to say even after I graduated I saw her a few times and she still had that smile. And it was a privilege to have met her and have her as a teacher. She was a great person to have known.”
Lindsey Reid Barnett, “I remember her teaching phonics. I can still hear and see her teaching the schwa sound/symbol.”
The impact of Demetra’s life goes far beyond the classroom. Her proudest moments came with the birth of her daughter Dee Ann and then birth of her granddaughter Drew. Demetra was not one to brag or boast, but when she spoke of her family it was with a sense of pride and excitement. She also took pride in the achievements of her former students because she helped in their growth towards success.
As a spiritual warrior and mentor, Demetra along with Mary Sue Morrow were elected the first female elders of the First Cumberland Presbyterian Church in McKenzie. Her church family was just as important as her natural family. She wanted everyone to know and develop a love for Christ just as she had done at an early age.
Cathey Stambaugh told of Demetra’s true love of humanity, “Every time I saw Mrs. Demetra she always had a smile on her face and was always so very kind. After I broke my arm and had a screw put in, I was at church and shoe was untied. She told me, ‘Cathey your shoe’s untied.’ I told her Jimmy was at the back of church talking and I was going to get him to tie it. Well she sat down and tied my shoe and told me I could do anything, don’t blame my broken arm... Boy I really felt bad but from then on I stopped feeling sorry for myself and found out she was correct! I will miss her smiling face in church. Lovely, Lovely Lady Godspeed Mrs. Demetra”
Gail West made a comment that was a true testament of Demetra’s life, “Demetra’s impact for good in this world can never be measured. To meet her was to be inspired by her. To know her was to know grace, dignity and the force of sheer determination embodied. She influenced so many who have, in turn, gone on to influence so many more. The ripple effect of Demetra Perkins will go on forever as will her example of faith and faithfulness.”
Diagnosed with cancer, she was given six months to live. Demetra, the warrior, refused to accept the death sentence. She stayed positive and challenged death. With her mental and spiritual strength, she fought her battle for five years, showing she could do anything through the strength of Christ.
There is no way to sum up the life of Demetra Perkins in a quantitative sense. For 80 years, she was Mrs. Perkins. She lived her life to the fullest. Her husband said, “Demetra lived her life by four priorities; God, family, helping others, and friends. She left a legacy of a caring life well-lived. She was a spiritual warrior!”
Demetra Perkins was a testament of Christianity for McKenzie, Bethel University, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church and all those who came to know her. She is an irreplaceable gem in the community. She taught the world to excel and accept nothing but excellence through her unparalleled love and faith.