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Antoinette Marie Perkins, 75 of Follansbee, WV died peacefully on Monday, September 14, 2026, at Trinity West surrounded by her family and friends in Steubenville, OH.
Antoinette was born on April 17, 1951, in Steubenville, OH a daughter of the late Paul Samuel and Amelia Immaculate (Saggio) Julio.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her beloved husband Gary W. Perkins; one sister, Carol Julio; one brother, Samuel Julio; and a niece, Donna Horton.
Antoinette was an active member of St. Anthony Catholic Church. She graduated from Follansbee High School and earned her bachelor's degree at West Liberty State College in education and her master's degree in communications from West Virginia University. She was currently serving as President of the Board of Education and had dedicated more than 35 years to teaching within the Brooke County School System.
Antoinette had a larger-than-life personality with a heart of gold. She would never shield away from a hug, a conversation, or the opportunity to make someone feel seen and loved. She was more than just an educator; she was a mentor, an advocate, a confidante, and someone every student past and present knew would always be in their corner.
She loved her family and friends fiercely, and she loved Brooke County Schools and the many roles she was blessed to service throughout the years as a teacher, advocate, School Board President, and one of the biggest supporters of Brooke County you could ever meet. Green and gold truly ran through her veins.
Everyone who knew Antoinette was blessed for many years to share her with the community and to witness the incredible impact she made on generation after generation. Her presence was unforgettable, her heart was enormous, and the number of lives she touched is immeasurable.
Antoinette is survived by two daughters, Annette (Tim) Priest of Beaver, PA, Ashley (Mark) Symons of Fredericksburg, VA; six grandchildren, Natalie, Eli, Grace, Addison, Maxwell, Harper, one brother, Paul Julio of Follansbee, WV; one sister-in-law, Elizabeth Julio of Follansbee, WV; several nieces and nephews, among them Autumn (Brian) Beatty, Alex Julio, Carli Julio (Zach Greene), Jackson Julio; great nephews, Blaine, Brentley, and Gannon; and many cousins.
Visitation for Antoinette will be held on Sunday, September 20th from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the Brooke High School Gymnasium 29 Bruin Drive Wellsburg, WV 26070 and again, on Monday, September 21st from 10 a.m. until the time of the Catholic Funeral Mass at 11 a.m. with Father Gerald Muoka officiating at St. Anthony Catholic Church 1017 Jefferson St. Follansbee, WV 26037.