Dee Perkins

By | January 7, 2016

Dee Perkins, age 69, of Jackson, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 surrounded by her loving family at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She was born July 11, 1946 in Huntington, West Virginia to the late Charles Ray Thomas and Irene Adams.

Dee attended Jackson High School. After graduating in 1965, she attended cosmetology school and became a hairdresser for several years and later in her career became an instructor herself. Dee went back to college and got her Associates degree in Psychology, which she used to help countless people who were battling drug and alcohol addictions. She also worked for Jackson County as a supervisor in the probation department for the Sheriff’s Office and as a bailiff for the municipal court.

Known for her beautiful soprano voice, Dee began singing at an early age with her mother and father and continued singing throughout her life. Dee loved going to yard sales, flea markets, and auctions to find discarded items that she could fix and turn into something new and beautiful. She was extremely creative. On any typical day, visitors expected and unexpected could find her in paint-covered clothes working on new projects in her craft room. While explaining to you what she was doing and going through her plans, she would inevitably come up with three more ideas to try out. Many of the projects were given as gifts to family and friends and will forever be cherished.

She was always one to have a listening ear, and friends and family knew they could always talk to Dee and if asked for it, she would give her advice. She wasn’t one to tell you what you wanted to hear, but what you needed to hear. She was always honest in her advice and held little if nothing back. Dee also loved crocheting, sewing, and taking care of her array of animals (even training her pet Oscars to let her pet them) and of course spending time with her family, especially her great-grandchildren who brought her tremendous joy. She was a regular member of The Church on the Move in Wellston, Ohio.

Dee found joy in just about everything she did, but mostly because she got to do all of them with her best friend, the love of her life, partner in all endeavors, her husband, Bill. Affectionately called, “her honey”, the love Bill and Dee shared was unlike anything most of us have experienced. They truly were each other’s soul mate. No matter what obstacle they faced, they did it hand in hand.

Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Steven Thomas; sister-in-law, Elizabeth Brodess; mother-in-law, Grace Reynolds; and great-granddaughter, Alexis Smart.

She is survived by her loving husband of over 25 years, William Perkins; sons: Todd (Vanessa) Smart, Curt (Gale) Smart, and Billy (Regan) Perkins; grandchildren: Megan (Justin) Rippeth, Chelsee (Zach) Manring, Blake Perkins, Anthony Perkins, Kylee Smart, Jacob Smart, Abram Smart, Ambrose Smart, Katelynd Perkins, and Carson Perkins; great-grandchildren: A’lia, Alexis, and Dilen Rippeth, Preslee Manring, and Eli Swann; brothers: Michael (Sharon) Thomas, Brian (Karen) Adams, and Jeff (Sandra) Thomas; sisters: Susie Yates and Anna Anderson; sister-in-law, Eileen (Jim) Rupert; as well as many cherished nieces and nephews whom she loved as if they were her own; and many cousins and friends.

Dee will be missed by many, but we take comfort in knowing of the reunion she is currently having with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, as well as loved ones that went before her; and that we will see her again one day soon.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, January 8, 2016 from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Rock Church of Jackson. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016 at 11 a.m. at the church with Pastor Billy Whitt officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Gardens. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillumfuneralhomes.com