Jan. 9, 2021. He was 90 years old.
He was married to his wife, the love of his life, Vera, who loved him very much for 61 years. They raised five children,
Deidre, Mark, Christopher, Lori and Ashley.
Silas was born Aug. 11, 1930, in Chicago to father Clarence Perkins Sr. and mother Hulda Perkins. The family also
included Silas’ older sister, Scheresa, and younger brother, Clarence, Jr.
Silas served two years in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1954.
A sharp mind and love of learning pushed Silas to pursue a degree in chemistry at Tennessee State University.
After studying at Tennessee State, Silas moved back to Chicago where he worked as a chemist.
In 1975, Silas’ lab closed in Chicago and the family moved to San Antonio where Silas worked as a chemist at Fort
Sam Houston Army Base. In San Antonio, the Perkins family were members of Bethany United Methodist Church.
At Bethany, Silas taught Sunday school, organized homeless shelter events during freezing climates, helped establish
food banks, led the effort to unite the community with a neighborhood wide annual yard sale, organized annual
pumpkin patch events during the fall season, and led vacation bible school events, even voiced the role of God in a
few memorable church events. Whether he was singing in the choir or lending a hand to the church family, Silas was
always there to help with excitement.
In the neighborhood, Silas was known as a caring, giving man who frequently took his children and their friends to
church events, sporting events such as San Antonio Spurs basketball and San Antonio Dodgers baseball games, and
the library.
He was big on education, doing things the right way and always taking pride in your work. Even today his kids and
grandkids recall with a laugh of the days when he would help them with their math homework and urge them to “show
your work” on a sheet of scratch paper, and then transfer that to a clean, neatly written sheet of paper that would be
handed in to the teacher.
As an active father, he always made it a priority to attend his children’s and grandchildren’s numerous events that
they participated in. Any chance that was presented, no matter what the circumstances asked of him, Silas was always
the first to volunteer, whether it being for neighborhood carpools or even playing basketball with the neighborhood
kids.
Silas and the Perkins family would always welcome the kids’ friends for meals when their home situation was lacking.
All the kids’ friends respected and admired “Mr. Perkins.” and always received the same from Silas in return.
As a God-fearing man and a true servant of God, he left a legacy of kindness, selflessness and devotion to God and
everyone else around him. He left a trail of love, light and laughs everywhere he went. Silas had never met a stranger
without open arms and a series of jokes. His spirit burned bright and left a lasting impression on anyone who had the
opportunity of feeling his warmth. He was a model of consistency, a wealth of knowledge, and a never-ending reservoir
of generosity. He was a lighthouse for anyone who ever felt lost at sea.
Silas’ parents, Clarence Sr., Hulda Perkins, and brother, Clarence Perkins, Jr. preceded him in death.
Silas is survived by wife Vera Jean Perkins, children Deidre Perkins, Mark (Sharon), of England, Christopher, of Florida,
Lori Sephus (Troy) of Round Rock and Ashley Perkins.
Also grandchildren Apryle, Amber, Brianna, Alysa, Caleb, Grace, Kiara, Vance, Nevaeh, Brooklyn and Jocelyn. He is
also survived by sister, Scheresa, nieces, nephews and cousins.
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, August 7th at 10:00 am at Heights Community Church; 121 Interpark Blvd Suite 211; San Antonio, TX 78216.
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