Evelyn Sue Perkins

Evelyn Sue Perkins, age 87, of St. James, Missouri, passed away on November 14, 2025. She was born on December 27, 1937, in St. James, Missouri, to Hadley and Ada (Mounce) Gibson, and was the eldest of their seven children.
Evelyn was united in marriage on November 12th, 1960, to Cordell Perkins, with whom she shared many wonderful years until his passing in January 2017. During their marriage, Evelyn was a devoted companion-always by Cordell's side on long drives, stopping somewhere along the way, having a bologna sandwich with chips and a Pepsi, or attending car shows together, especially the Ozark Extravaganza.
Evelyn worked as a cook at the Missouri Veterans Home in St. James for more than 26 years before retiring in 1996. She was known for her incredible cooking and took great joy in hosting family gatherings and holiday meals. Her potato salad, Crisco white cake, and delicious butter rolls were family favorites and will be fondly remembered by all who were lucky enough to enjoy them.
A lover of stories, Evelyn enjoyed reading, especially romance and Harlequin novels. She enjoyed watching her favorite television shows Survivor, Blue Bloods, and watching her soaps. She also loved talking with her friend Mary, every day at 1:00 p.m. Evelyn enjoyed her Saturday trips to Walmart and then to Ocean buffet.
Evelyn is survived by her children, Charles Perkins (Becky) of St. James, Missouri, and Tammy Perkins of Rolla; her brothers Tommy Gibson of St. James and Terry Gibson (Wanda) of St. James; her sisters Judy Carl and Cathy Luebbert, both of St. James; as well as her grandchildren Cordell Licklider, Dina Couchman (Terry), Melissa Perkins (Josh), Andrea Moffitt (Michael), Andy Perkins (Holly), Angel Perkins, Cody Perkins, and Charlie Miller (Josh). She is also survived by her great-grandchildren, Nathan Cook, Xavier Baylor, Daniel Bryan, Zaidan Dryer, Jadelynn Bryan, Ivy Stern, Madilynne Bryan, and Hunter Sherfy, a host of great-great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and a treasured friend Mary Bartruff of St. James.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Cordell Perkins; her daughter, Joyce Miller; her sisters Rose Gibson and Patsy Norris; her granddaughter Amber Perkins; and her great-grandson Johnathan Shay.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 18th, from 1:00 PM until 2:00 PM. Funeral service time will be at 2:00 PM at the James and Gahr Chapel in St. James. Officiating the service is Pastor David Stoner. Interment will follow at the St. James Cemetery.
Evelyn will be remembered for her loving heart, her generosity, and the warmth she brought to every gathering. Her legacy lives on in the family she adored and the countless lives she touched.