Roland Wade Perrin III

Roland Wade Perrin, III was born on August 7, 1962, to the late Roland Wade Perrin, Jr. and Evelyn Bannister Perrin and gained his heavenly wings on August 10, 2023. Roland’s journey through life was one marked by dedication, passion, and love. He graduated in 1980 from Gordon High School in Decatur, GA. Upon graduation, he joined the military where he traveled the world as an Army Reservist and proudly served in the Gulf War. As a young child, Roland loved trucks and became a long-distance truck driver and traveled across the country, earning countless awards, and had the admiration of his colleagues. Roland loved distance running and embraced the freedom and challenges of the sport. As a proud Braves fam, he would wear his Atlanta Braves baseball cap during his runs. Whether it was running twenty-one years in the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race, a simple jog, or a 5-mile run at his truck stops, he was always pushing himself to new limits while inspiring others to do the same. He believed that he would be healthier and trained for the Atlanta Peachtree Road Race following his second stem cell treatment with strong faith and assurance that he would receive his next t-shirt. Roland was a master gardener and maintained multiple gardens that produced beautiful muscadine vines and other fruits and vegetables. In addition to gardening, Roland took pride in his landscaping and creating USA flag designs on his lawn to celebrate the 4th of July. Roland loved God and joined Green Pastures with his family. Roland leaves to mourn his loss his children, Shenika, and Xavier (Sharon) and Vanessa Perrin, who loved and cared for Roland immensely. His children blessed him with five amazing grandchildren who called Roland their “Pa-Pa.” He found boundless joy as a doting grandfather to Avery, Alyssa, Alivia, Xavier Jr., and Xander. He enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s school and sporting events and celebrating birthdays and family gatherings. Pa-Pa would always talk with his grandchildren about the principles of healthy eating and physical fitness and encouraged physical fitness by creating ramps and basketball goals from the oddest household items he could find. Roland’s grandchildren will forever have loving memories of their Pa-Pa and will find comfort in knowing that Pa-Pa loved them dearly. Roland leaves behind his siblings whom he deeply loved—his brother Jonathan (Vivian) and his three sisters Phyllis (Todd), Stacy, and Courtney (Raven) known as the “Perrin 5.” Big Boy’s siblings cared for him lovingly and tirelessly during his illness. Roland loved spending time with his siblings especially on Sundays watching the Falcons or Braves while eating a home cooked meal. He also loved reminiscing and laughing about the times shared as children on Fairway Hill Drive. Roland also leaves behind his aunts Ella Marie, Mary Jean, Lonnie Kate, Vernice and Patricia; uncles Peter, Henry and William; nieces, nephews, cousins, and a countless number of friends including friends from Gordon High School, MedLine and AAA Cooper. Rest in peace, our dear Roland, Big Boy, and Pa-Pa, we will profoundly miss and love you forever. Service entrusted to Gregory B. Levett & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory-South DeKalb 404.241.5656

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Roland Wade Perrin III

August 7, 1962 - August 10, 2023