Barbara Jean Perkins
Barbara Jean Perkins
December 16, 1927 — March 15, 2018
Barbara Jean Perkins was born on Dec. 16, 1927 in Bloomington, Indiana, and was called home by her creator on March 15, 2018.
Jean is preceded in death by her parents; her twin sister Joan; her husband of 64 years, Homer; and daughter Judy Ann.
Jean, ever the energetic person, had a full life with family, multiple businesses and travel. Her rest is well-earned.
Jean moved to Texas after graduating from University High School in Bloomington, to attend the Seton School of Nursing in Austin. While in nursing school she met Homer, they later married on Jan. 25, 1948, in Austin at the Central Christian Church. Jean and Homer raised four children. Before all four children were born, Jean was vice president of the PTA at Wooten Elementary School in Austin. Homer later took a job with Floyd West & Company, which kept him on the road during the week and left Jean at home to take care of the four kids alone. She worked as a nurse in a doctor’s office, and at Continental Cars of Austin before Homer and Jean started their own business, Austin Surplus Lines Inc. The fledgling business eventually took off, spawning other businesses such as Tejas Insurance Managers, Texas Insurance Company, Austin Premium Finance and Perkins Properties.
Jean was the Office Manager/Bookkeeper for Austin Surplus, Texas Insurance Co. and Austin Premium Finance. She was also a member of the Insurance Women of Austin. Jean and Homer often attended and had great times at the insurance conventions. She also found time to take care of the elderly on both her side of the family and Homer’s. With all this she somehow found time to play golf, fish and go to Lady Longhorn basketball games. Jean loved to laugh and most of all loved her family.
The family encourages donations to go to any organization researching treatments for dementia and/or Alzheimer’s.
She is survived by her children, Alan of Marble Falls, Rick and his wife Nancy of Austin, daughter BJ of Marble Falls, and Randy and his wife Holly of Denver, Colorado; as well as five grandchildren, four great grandchildren and one great-great grandson.
A memorial service will be held at the Central Christian Church, 1110 Guadalupe Street, Austin, at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24.
Online condolences may be made at clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.
