Marie Perkins 69, of Waskom, Texas passed away peacefully on November 21, 2018. Mrs. Perkins was born   December 12, 1948 to her parents, Jack Joseph Ireland and Estelle Wright Ireland, the oldest of the three children, Camille and CherylAnn. Marie was born in a military family with her  father being in the Marine Corp. Marie grew up moving throughout her young life and her father eventually was         stationed near Houston, Texas. As a teenager, Marie and her family settled in Van Alstyne, Texas where she finished her schooling. As a young adult, Marie went on to have three children, CJ Jr,., Tracy and Becky Gillard. On December 17, 1982, Marie married the love of her life Jim Perkins. They had a whirlwind romance and a love story that lasted decades.   Marie gained two more children in this marriage, Janne and Sara Perkins. Marie and Jim settled in Waskom, Texas with their new family and started a life of fun, adventure and weathered many storms together. Marie enjoyed music, laughing, dancing and loved being surrounded by friends and   family having the time of their life. She "adopted" many kids in the community and always wanted to see children succeed in life. Jim and Marie traveled a portion of their marriage, driving over the road and had so many adventures. Jim and Marie were married 36 years and at the end of Marie's life, she was surrounded by her loving husband and children.   Marie was loved by more people than she knew and will leave a whole in our hearts that will never be filled.

Mrs. Perkins is survived by her husband, James Roger "Jim" Perkins; son, C.J. Gillard and wife Judy; daughters Rebecca Linder and fiancé' Daniel Anderson, Tracy Hawthorne and husband Jon, Janne Perkins, Sara Hardyman and husband Jon; grandchildren; Chelsea Musgrove and husband Phoenix, Blake, Tony, Nathan, Jeremie, Ciara, Justin, Tabitha, Jonathan, Jennifer, Addison, Aiden, Owen, James, Jesse, Sam, Jake, Max and Jaime. Marie is also survived by twenty four great grandchildren and numerous other family and friends.

A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Marie Perkins will be at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, November 25, 2018 in the chapel of Downs Funeral Home in Marshall, Texas.