Barbara Jean Perkins, age 82, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2019 surrounded by her family. She was born December 26, 1936 in Pine Prairie, Walker County, Texas to Marvin Lee and Thalia Lee Porter Deason. Barbara attended Cedar Bayou High School but graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in 1955 after the consolidation of the school districts in 1954. While in high school she worked at the Brunson Theater. She worked at Bremer’s Mimeograph Shop for many years.
On February 17, 1956, she married Norman E. Perkins of Baytown and shared her life with him for almost 63 years. Together they raised three children. Barbara was a homemaker who loved baking cookies and collecting cookie cutters. She loved music and playing her piano. In her spare time she enjoyed reading, cross-stitch, playing dominoes and especially spending time with her family. She was a long time member of Tex-LA Bluebonnets 4-Cs (Cookie Cutter Collectors Club) and the National Cookie Cutter Collectors Club.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by husband, Norman; daughter Sharon Van Tuyl and husband Mark of Boise, Idaho; son David Perkins and wife Diane of Baytown; daughter Martha Chestnut and husband David of Baytown. Granddaughters, Cathrine (Katie) Lovejoy; Jennifer (Jenny) LeDay and husband Corey; Stephanie Weston and husband Cortland; Stacy Hardin and husband Wil; Michelle Chestnut. Adopted grandson Eric Van Tuyl and wife Sopha. Nine great-grandchildren – Xoe LeDay, Xavier LeDay, Emma Lovejoy, Clayton Van Tuyl, Wyatt Lovejoy, Jacob Van Tuyl, Reghan Kelley, Cole Weston and Preston Kelley. One great-great-grandson, Damien LeDay. She is also survived by her sister, Ruth Phillips of Baytown; brother in law, Clifford Perkins and wife Minnie of Katy; nieces Julie Fallin and Thalia Kurdt; and many more extended family members and close friends.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, February 5, 2019, at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, Texas 77521. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 6, 2019, at Navarre Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Sterling White Cemetery, 11011 Crosby Lynchburg Rd., Highlands, Texas 77562.
Memorial donations may be made to the organization or charity of choice.
