Betty Perkins

Betty Flo Perkins

A celebration of life for longtime resident, Betty Perkins will be held at 10:00AM on Wednesday, August 2, 2023 at the Lamar First Baptist Church with Pastor Darren Stroh officiating. Interment will follow at the Fairmount Cemetery.

Visitation for Betty will be held on Tuesday, August 1, 2023 from 2:00PM until 4:00PM at the Peacock Family Chapel.

Betty Flo Wilson was welcomed into this world on April 15, 1935, in Coolidge, Kansas by her parents Glen E and Amy E (Fisher) Wilson and an older brother and sister, J.D. and Catherine.  Betty left this world on July 27, 2023, at her home in Lamar with her family by her side at the age of 88. 

Betty was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Perkins, Jr., children Tracy Perkins and Nancy Smotherman, grandson Josie Smotherman, her parents, brother J.D. Wilson, and her sister Catherine Terrell.

Betty is survived by her grandchildren, Dustin (Tana) Pearson of Wiley, Colorado, Chris (Yasmin) Pearson of Lamar, Colorado and DeAnna Flores (Ruben) of Stockton, California, numerous great-grandchildren, and her special friend Larry Barlow of Lamar.  She is also survived by numerous other extended family and by many of her farming friends.

Our First Baptist Church family fondly remembers Betty throughout her lifetime.  As a young woman, Betty met the love of her life, Joe.  She and Joe could be seen on the streets of Lamar, the movie theater, or one particular time the two were spotted at Lamar’s carnival which was set up on the empty lot just across the street to the east of the Middle School.  Walking, talking, holding hands, and leaning into each other made it obvious to any passerby the two were excited and were in love.

Betty and Joe were soon married.  Both were hard workers and anxious to create a new loving home. Joe was a longtime employee of the State Highway Department and Betty found jobs around town including helping some other church members during their time of need.

The arrival of their son Tracy and daughter Nancy added much joy and completed their young family, and the First Baptist Church family enjoyed seeing and interacting with them just about every Sunday.  They were faithful members.

Betty was President of the Twila Bartz Missionary Circle for several years, and active in the American Baptist Women’s Ministries including their White Cross Missions Program. She sang in the choir and felt honored that she was included in the crusade choir at the time our church hosted Howard Jones. She was one of a group of ladies from the church who met for dinner in April and called themselves the April birthday club.  She was a member of the First Baptist for 69 years.

Outside the church, Betty was a member of the Eastern Star Organization and served as their Worthy Matron. She had special recognition of both her 25 year service and her 50 year service.

Betty and Joe lived on the family farm for many years southeast of town. She loved the country living and her farmhouse.  Betty would feed the wild cottontails. She was gentle enough that the rabbits approached her and ate directly from her hand. Betty had a quick wit, sometimes with a mischievous streak, but had a smile and kind words for all.

After Joe’s death, Betty and Larry Barlow became best friends. They enjoyed outings to the Senior Center, they realized they were both members of Oddfellows, and just enjoyed each other’s company…a lot of storytelling of past life experiences. Their special friendship endured for the last 21 years. They both felt the other was the best friend they’d ever had.

Betty invited Jesus to be her Savior and was baptized October 11, 1953. We’ll miss Betty, but we can be comforted that Jesus met her with open arms as she transitioned into the afterlife.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Lamar First Baptist Church either direct or in care of the funeral home office.