Obituaries

Mary Louise Newton Perkins

Photo of Mary Louise Newton Perkins
Mrs. Mary Louise Newton Perkins, age 77 years, of Eldon, Mo., formerly of Jefferson City, Mo., departed this life to be with her Lord on Thursday, September 20, 2012, at the Tuscumbia Care Center. Mary was born on September 3, 1935, in Jefferson City, Mo., a daughter of Raymond E. and Lucy R. Zehender Newton. She was married on August 13, 1953, to Claude Alvin Miller Sr., who preceded her in death on August 17, 1980. She later married James Riley Perkins on September 18, 1978 in Elko, Nev. A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Mary attended Trinity Lutheran School. Mary's favorite job was being a ranch house cook in Battle Mountain, Nev. She was also employed as a housekeeper at Ramada Inn for 15 years, as a cook at Jefferson City High School, and retired in 1993 as a bartender at Budweiser Inn. She was a member of Spring Valley Baptist Church in Henley, Mo. Mary enjoyed cooking and playing cards, but most importantly, she loved spending time with her large family. She was always known as being a mom to everyone. Survivors include: her husband, James Perkins; six daughters, Glenna (Charlie) Golden, Kathryn (John) Westermann, Jane (Richard) Graves, Carol (Mark) McKinney, Claudia (Steve) Synder, and Sheila Hohenstreet; nine sons, William Vaught, Warren (Brenda) Miller, Clifford (Terry) Miller, Lawrence Miller, Charles (Susan Gleason) Miller, Richard Miller, Mike Miller, Bernard Miller and Claude Bryant; four sisters, Laura Davenport, Victoria Brumley, Dana Peschang and Becky Findley; two brothers, David Whittle and Larry Whittle; 47 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson; seven step-children; Jimmy Chronister, Jimmy Nations, Mike Davis, Mike Chronister, Jessie Robinett, Mary Nicole Perkins and Brenda Evers; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Eugene Newton; two grandsons, Steven Westermann and Robbie Miller; and two great-grandchildren, Paul Miller and Hunter Thirlwall. Visitation will be held at Freeman Mortuary from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the Freeman Chapel with Chaplain Jeremy Caudel officiating. Graveside services and interment will be held at Hickory Hill Cemetery in Hickory Hill, Mo. Those desiring may make memorial contributions to Hospice Compassus of Eldon or the Hickory Hill Cemetery Association. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com

Published September 23, 2012