Lawrence Perkins

The late Lawrence Perkins was born into the marriage union of the late TSgt Albert

Perkins and the late Jewel Weston Perkins. Lawrence was born the oldest son of

nine children. He was born in Austin, Texas, on April 2, 1957, on Bergstrom Air Force

Base. Born into an active military family, Lawrence had the opportunity to travel

and relocate to several places. He loved living in Houston, Texas, and Tampa, Florida, most.

He loved his family and was a very good son, brother, nephew, uncle, brother-in-law, and cousin. Lawrence was a modest man; he was level-headed and laid-back.

He was patient, loving, kind, and helpful. He had the respect of many and was a

trusted friend. He loved his parents, siblings, relatives, and friends, and was there

whenever needed. He kept his word, aMer his father’s death, to watch over and

care for his mother and youngest sister, Tara.

Lawrence was a Believer of God through Jesus Christ. He was bap>zed at 10 years

old at Grace Mary Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa, Florida, under the

leadership of Pastor B. Thedford Williams. As a teenager, Lawrence visited friends

at Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Melvin V.

Wade. Lawrence was intrigued with Rev. Wade’s preaching. He came home and

told his family, “You all must come hear Rev. Wade preach because he preaches

the Word of God like no one that I have ever heard. This is the church that our

family should be a member of.” The Perkins Family visited several times and has

since had family membership in Mt. Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church for over 53

years, also under the leadership of Pastor George T. Curry Sr. and Dr. JeaRon Chew.

Since his father was on active duty in the Air Force, Lawrence had the opportunity

to a\end schools in Nebraska (Omaha), Puerto Rico (Aguadilla), Florida (Tampa),

and Texas (Houston). In Houston, he attended several schools in the Houston

Independent School District (HISD), including James D. Burrus Elementary, Burbank

Junior High School, and Booker T. Washington High School, where he graduated

with the Class of 1975. Lawrence went on to a\end Texas Southern University in

Houston for two years.

Lawrence worked alongside his father in his father’s painting business for 18 years

until his father retired again. Lawrence then started his own painting business and

took over his father’s clients. He led his business for 20 years as a Master Painter,

then had the opportunity to work with his brothers, John and James Perkins, for

HISD for 11 years. Lawrence retired from HISD last year on September 6, 2024.

Lawrence began feeling fa>gued at the beginning of this summer. In August, aMer

having a bone marrow test, his hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Kevin Hude, diagnosed

him with Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia (CMML), a blood cancer that caused

chronic anemia and heart issues. His hemoglobin was very, very low, and he had

his first cycle of chemotherapy surrounded by the support of his siblings. Lawrence

had a good week, but God saw fit to call him home the following week. Our loving

brother, Lawrence, is already dearly missed.

Lawrence Perkins’ father, Tsgt Albert Perkins, mother, Jewel Perkins, and older

sister, Sonia Ewing, preceded him in death. He leaves to cherish his memories:

Siblings: Deborah Holmes of Tampa, Florida, Chevalia Bowers (Darrell), Helen

Perkins-Taylor (Late Pastor Eddie Taylor III), Michelle Powell (David), John Perkins,

James Perkins (Cassey), Tara Perkins (Fiance Martin), Wayne (Sonia’s Husband)

Nephews and Nieces: Michael Holmes (Fiancee Shannon) of Tampa, Florida,

Anthony Holmes (Claudine) of Tampa, Florida, Lisa Hall, Jarre\ Ewing (Deidra),

Justin Ewing, Julian Ewing, Vincent Powell (Ebony), Christion Bowers, Dr. Jasmine

Victor (Aaron), JaLisa Perkins, Denzel Taylor, John Perkins Jr., Jonae Brown (Joseph),

Honorary Nephew: Eddie Taylor IV (Lupy)

One Loving Uncle: Lionel Perkins

Two Loving Aunts: Joyce Albert, Dr. Cynthia Ratchford (Dr. Jerome)

Cousin/Brother: Gregory Miller

And a host of great nephews and nieces, cousins, and friends.

A visitation for Lawrence will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM at Paradise Funeral Home, Inc, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088. The celebration of life will be held immediately following from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088. The committal service will be held Saturday, September 13, 2025 from 3:45 PM to 4:15 PM at Paradise Cemetery North, 10401 West Montgomery, Houston, TX 77088.

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