Rickie Dean Perkins was born on July 22, 1953 in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Archie Whit Tate and Jessie Mae Perkins Tate. He was self-employed with Southern Airbrushing until his health didn't allow him to continue his craft.

Rick loved to draw and paint beautiful artwork both professionally and privately. He enjoyed spending time with family and friends; often telling stories of his past and life experiences today.

To Rick, no one was a stranger, but most precious to Rick was spending time with his wife in the Christian Ministry showing all that would listen about the marvelous hope that Jehovah God lovingly holds out for all humankind.

It was that love of God and neighbor that helped Rick through challenging times throughout his adult life. He cherished showing strangers from the Bible about the kingdom of God that was so real to him and explained that eventually, in God's due time, God would rid the earth of all the suffering that he and so many others are experiencing today.

He often told others, "I will be glad one day when I can be truly whole in the fullest sense with body, mind, and spirit." During his last weeks of declining health, he spoke of a time soon when he would regain his strength and wrestle a bear in paradise forever.

Rick married Cheryl Logan Pritchett on December 16, 1998 and the two remained one until his passing. The two shared a marriage for nearly twenty-seven years.

Although they didn't have children together, Rick leaves behind a loving wife, Cheryl; a devoted daughter, Deana Adkins of Keeling; a son, Ricky Tate Jr of Virginia; two step-daughters, Tilnesha Pritchett Seeley of Hurt, and Melissa Pritchett Grimes of Jacksonville, NC; one grandson, Jesse Dalton of Keeling; one granddaughter, Amber Tate; four step-grandchildren, Jamar Hanks and Malachi Jackson of Danville, Domminick Grimes of Jacksonville, NC, and Joshua Seeley of Hurt; one great granddaughter, Jamie Dalton; one great grandson, Preston Dalton of Keeling; and one step-great grandchild, Nicole Jackson of Danville.

Rickie is also survived by two sisters, Cindy King and Sheila Roach of Gretna; one brother-in-law, Phillip Roach of Gretna; one son-in-law, Lynn Adkins of Keeling; Two step-sons-in-law, Joshua Seeley of Hurt, and Robert Grimes of Jacksonville, NC; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Michael and Gary Tate; and two brothers, Randy Tate and Donald Milton.

Memorial services will be conducted 2:00 Saturday, July 19, 2025 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 652 Riverbend Road, Altavista, Virginia 24517, by Elder Edward Carr.

Colbert-Moran Funeral Home, Gretna is assisting the family.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.colbertmoran.com.