Lillian Durrenberger Perkins

She was born on a dairy farm in Bellville, Texas, on March 10, 1913, to Ira Arthur Durrenberger and Pauline Bertha Finn. Her father was the proprietor of the dairy farm and worked as a county agent introducing irrigation to the farmers of south Texas. She had one older sister, Bertha Irene, who was four years of age when Lillian was born. They moved to Pearsall, Texas, where her father passed away from complications due to asthma when she was very young. They came to Houston where Lillian and her sister Irene lived permanently.

Lillian attended high school and business college and began her first job working for W. C. Munn Company, which was the largest exclusive retail store building in the state of Texas located in downtown Houston at the corner of Travis Avenue and Capitol Avenue. She was the niece of prominent architect, Alfred C. Finn who designed this building. Lillian worked there for four years, until 1932, as head assistant in advertising, sales promotion and office work.

Lillian met David Robert Perkins on a blind date while he was serving in the Naval Reserves. They were married in Houston, Texas on July 30, 1931, and spent a one night honeymoon at the Buccaneer Hotel in Galveston, Texas for a grand total of $7.50! Lillian and David resided in the Houston Heights when their only daughter, Elaine, was born on August 28, 1937. They built a new home in Garden Oaks in 1939 when Elaine was two years old, and then moved to Ella Lee Forest in September, 1963.

During these years Lillian worked for Carl Gren Stationary and was head of the gift department at the Oak Forest Palais Royal until she retired in the late 70’s. David was employed by Southwestern Bell Telephone for over 40 years until he retired in the early 70’s.

Lillian was a constant support for all of Elaine’s activities. She was a member of the Garden Oaks School PTA and she was a Brownie and Girl Scout Leader. She was also very involved in her daughter’s dance activities. Lillian was a gifted seamstress, using her talents to design and sew many beautiful costumes. She designed and sewed all of Elaine’s wardrobe, including many beautiful evening and party dresses for Elaine and her friends.

Lillian’s love for gardening led her to become a member of the Piney Woods Garden Club where she served as President.

Lillian’s friends and neighbors were very important to her and she was always there for them whenever there was a need.

Her heart belonged to her family. Her daughter, Elaine, her grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren were her pride and joy.

After her husband, David, passed away in 1996, Lillian continued to live independently in her home past her 99th birthday.

She was preceded in death by husband, David Robert Perkins and sister, Bertha Irene Johnson.

She is survived by daughter, Elaine Lewis and husband, David; granddaughters Dayna Reina and husband Skip, Mandy Holland, Deborah Schultze and husband Gary; grandsons David Lewis, Jr., Michael Lewis and wife Sally; great-granddaughters Lauren Reina, Kristin Holland, Megan Holland, Leah Lewis, Lindsay Lewis and Ashley Lewis; great-grandsons Joseph Reina, Austin Holland, Justin Schultze, Jordan Schultze and Ryan Lewis; great-great-granddaughter Madison Chevalier and great-great-grandson Brynn Reina, all of Houston, Texas. She is also survived by nieces Shirley Kubicek and husband Lottie, of Houston Texas, Georgiana Harris and husband Wayne of Dallas, Texas, and Judy Kay Grundy and husband Bob of Smithville, Texas.

Special thanks to all who cared for Lillian with heartfelt compassion including the doctor and nurses with Hospice Compassus and all the staff at The Vosswood Nursing Center.

A Memorial Service for Lillian will be held at 10:00 A.M. Wednesday June 6, 2012 in the Memorial Oaks Cemetery Chapel, 13001 Katy Freeway at Eldridge, officiated by Deacon Ken Martin. Visitation with the family will begin at 9:00 A.M. Graveside service will immediately follow. All are invited for fellowship afterwards at the home of Elaine and David Lewis.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in memory of Lillian to be made to The CHA Foundation, Hospice Compassus, 1770 St. James Place, Suite 330, Houston, Texas 77056.