Virginia Mae “Ginger” Perkins, 77, of Springfield, Missouri, passed away on April 17, 2014, in Cox South Hospital during a procedure. Ginger was born in Christian county on October 25, 1936, to Willard and Lucy (Billingsly) Smith. She graduated from Spokane High School in 1954. She attended the Blue Bonnett Beauty Academy where she also taught after graduation. She was a cosmetologist in Springfield for many years, most recently with Wedgewood Beauty Salon. She was married on January 27, 1957 in Spokane, Missouri to Charles Perkins for 55 years before his passing in 2012.
Charles and Ginger were members of the Glenstone Baptist Church for many years. One of her community service activities was giving free haircuts to students. Charles and Virginia loved to travel, and took many trips prior to his passing over most of the USA, Caribbean, Alaska and Mexico.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Willard and Lucy (Billingsly) Smith; one brother Jerry Smith; a husband, Charles Perkins; and grandparents, Rose and Eck Smith, and Robert and Mae Billingsly; She is survived by three children, Charles W. (and Stephany) Perkins of Springfield, Missouri; Candy (and Rick) Brown of Nixa, Missouri; Carol and (Steven-deceased) King also of Nixa. A step-daughter Nancy (Don) Irvine of Willard, Missouri. Eight grandsons: Brandon and Cody Brown, Neil, John, David and Matt Perkins; Trevor and Tyler King; step-grandchildren Don Irvine and Kimberly Whitman; six step-great-grandchildren and one step great great-granddaughter; sister-in-law Kay Smith (Don) Jenkins; several nieces, cousins, extended family, friends, and clients.
The funeral will be at Greenlawn Funeral Home East on Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at 10:00 A.M. Visitation will be Monday, April 21, 2014, from 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. The burial will be at Hopedale Cemetery in Ozark, Missouri immediately following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations be made to the Evangel College Charles Perkins Scholarship Fund. A special “Thank You” to Drs. Robert May and Danny Pennick, and all members of the staff, for their wonderful care of our mother.