Brenda Lee Perkins, beloved daughter, sister and friend, left our side much too soon on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. She was at peace at her home, with her treasured fur-babies at her side when she passed in St. Louis, Missouri at 58 years of age.
Brenda spent most of her profession within the cosmetology field, over 38 years. These last few years she was working her dream job at the Missouri State Board of Cosmetology and Barber as an Inspector. Oh, and did you know? She LOVED HER JOB!!!
Brenda was born on March 27, 1963, in St. Louis, Missouri to Walter and Beverly (Wilde) Perkins. She grew up with her two brothers and sister in Arnold, Missouri where she graduated Fox High School in 1981. She was a member of the Warriorette Drill Team from 1978-1981 and attended Culver Stockton College for a short duration before she found cosmetology was her calling. She graduated from LaPlant Cosmetology School in 1984 and had a successful career as a loving and caring cosmetologist in the St. Louis area, including teaching and mentoring other developing cosmetologists.
Brenda spent time hunting and target shooting with her Dad, brothers, and friends leading her to be a successful deer hunter. She would organize outings with family, friends and neighbors going to wineries and cooking for those she held close. To look at Brenda’s yard, it showed her hard work and her love and appreciation for her home. Her fur-babies, Bo and Ella were her “children” and spoiling them was one of her many priorities. Brenda was also known for, as she referred to as “sh!t shopping” in resale shops, always finding the best deal was a pleasurable challenge for her. Yet most of all, her relationships with young and old speaks to her real heart.
Brenda is survived by her loving and supportive parents Walter and Beverly Perkins; brothers Kevin (Donna) Perkins, David (Annette) Perkins; sister Nancy (David) Lewis; Nieces Christina (Jeremy) Conley, Rochelle (Pete) Maubach, Elizabeth Davis; Nephews Philip (Joline) Perkins, Zachary (Courtney) Davis; Great nephews Christopher Perkins, Austin James Perkins, Bryce Maubach, Matthew Maubach, Skylar Perkins, Lane Perkins; many aunts, uncles, cousins , many friends and clients who adored and loved her.
She is now having a reunion celebration with many loved ones that left before her, such as her beloved grandparents Philip and Grace Wilde, Paternal grandparents John and Violet Perkins, niece Randi Perkins, brother-in-law Stewart Davis and several aunts, uncles and friends/clients.
Visitation will be held at Kutis Funeral Home on Lemay Ferry in St. Louis, Missouri on Sunday, January 23, 2022, from 4:00pm to 7:00pm. A short funeral service will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, at 1:00 pm followed by burial at Park Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the MS Society or St. Louis Shriners Hospital.
My deepest condolences do not even seem enough for such a beautiful soul. She made the world a better place. I will miss her so very very much!! Rest in peace my dear friend
Brenda was a cherished member of her work family. Her bright smile lit up the office when she would stop by to see us. We had a great visit just two weeks ago when she came to pick up some new equipment. While I, personally, hadn’t had the pleasure of working with her during her tenure with the Missouri Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, I knew quickly that she was a huge asset to the team.
Her work family grieves with each of her family and friends. We will miss you, Brenda but know that you are enjoying a great reunion with some of those you loved so deeply.
Brenda and I went to funky butt concert and we have fun
My deepest sympathies.
Brenda and I went to school together, she was a very sweet person and I am so glad that I had the pleasure of knowing her.
I am so sorry to hear this news. She is an incredible and generous woman. A great loss for the beauty community. She will be missed.
Condolences to her family. She was a gem.
Cielo Salon will miss you, Brenda. You were such a kind, generous, and beautiful person. Our industry will feel your loss.
My condolences to the family. I only met Brenda once through the Bertchume family and she was so friendly and full of spirit. Such a loss so young.
You will be missed
Brenda was always the epitome of “I can do it all” ! ..and she did. There was nothing she was not able to do if she decided it was her goal and put her mind to it!
I also recall a conversation I had with her many, many years ago, when she admired a pearl ring I was wearing. She said to me, “When you die, will you WILL it to me?” I assured her I would..and I have it earmarked in my WILL that it would go to her.
Sadly, she never lived long enough to receive it..
I am broken hearted over her young life being snuffed out, but I know she is loved just as much, or more, in the great BEYOND.
SHE WILL ALWAYS BE A SHINNING STAR IN MY LIFE!
LOVE YOU ALWAYS, SWEET GIRL.
Christina Renfroe (Aka Janet Barker)
Brenda was a beautiful lady and spirit!! She left us to soon !! She’ll be missed deeply! I used to work with her at a beauty college that’s we’re are friendship started fly high little angel!
Brenda, was a one of a kind girl.. she did it her way…all the way. We only come upon a star like her, maybe, once in a lifetime.
For those who knew her, loved her, as she was the epitome of selflessness. Always doing for others with a smile and from her heart.
She went after what she wanted…She once saw a ring I was wearing and immediately said, “When you die, would you please “WILL it to me!” How could one resist her, being so forthright? I did put it in my WILL for her. Sorry, she will never have the opportunity to receive it, but I feel she knows.
She will always remain in my heart forever.
She may be gone, but left her mark on the hearts of everyone who knew her.
May God watch over her and enjoy her antics now, personally
Chris Renfroe (AKA. Janet Barker)
Brenda was so kind to me and my family when we first moved to St. Louis. I will remember her kindness and love for fun. I am so sorry for her family and loved ones to hear of her loss.
My sincerest condolences to Brenda’s family. Prayers for you all.
So sorry to hear this. She was way to young. I have said hi on Facebook and tried to comment on her posts. Even though we haven’t talked in years face to face, she will be missed. Prayers to Walt, Bev, Kevin, David, Nancy, and the rest of the family.
Thoughts and prayers to the Perkins family for the loss of their loved one, Brenda. She will be missed by all the ones who knew and loved her.
Brenda was always happy and fun to be around, and she died too young. My condolences go out to her family.
Brenda will be missed and was loved by many. Thoughts and prayers to the Perkins family. Sweet memories from knowing her afar.
A true blessing and special Person person to me I will miss you
Brenda will definitely be missed by so many. It has been my joy to see her every month for a haircut for the last 20 or so years. I am one of her many sad clients. My prayers go out to her whole family.
i am so sorry for your loss, i graduated from fox in 1974, it was a great school. i also was a graduate of college for cosmetology, but i didn’t care for it much, but i am really glad to see she really enjoyed her life’s decisions, my prayers are with you all.
Sending all my love to her friends and family . Brenda was truly an angel on earth for us hairstylist. She was so kind and helpful . She made things happen and took so much stress off us salon owners. I’m heartbroken to hear she has left this earth so young . We will miss her so much at Trü Salon .
My deepest condolences to her family, friends, and fur babies. I saw Brenda for many years on a monthly basis for a hair cut. We shared the MS diagnosis and a love of dogs. My dog Louie, was Emma’s son, and we often shared stories about our dogs’ antics. She always thought the best of people and went out of her way to help someone in need. She will be missed.
My heart is broken! Brenda and I were childhood friends and I loved spending time with her family, especially at Halloween when Walter would take us to the Haunted House. And in the summer riding around in his convertible, we would have so many laughs!! My family left Arnold in 1978 and her friendship was one of my greatest losses. We reconnected on Facebook a few years back and were able to see each other at a reunion. She was the same beautiful Brenda!! I will miss her smile and contagious laugh!
Prayers for the family.
Brenda was a one of kind very special person, I believe she is chatting it up in heaven. I will miss her and her big heart!
My condolences to Brenda’s parents, siblings, neighbors and fur babies! God took her way too soon from us! She was always up for a good time and such a selfless individual. I was the lucky one to get my hair cut and colored at midnight in April 2020 when the salons opened up again after COVID. She will be greatly missed by me and all her clients. I can only guess that God needed her more than we needed to keep her here on earth! Fly high, sweet Brenda until we meet again in heaven!
Wally, Beverly and family
Brenda will forever be missed!
She was so beautiful inside and out.
She always made you so comfortable around her. She was so incredibly talented with her profession as a hair stylist.
She is now in heaven, an eternal life!
May God be with you all at this time!
So very sorry to hear of Brenda’s passing and the loss to Bev, Walter, family, and friends as Brenda’s spirited personality will be missed by all that cherished her presence. When there was a celebration or gathering at Walter and Bev Perkins’ home, Brenda was typically there helping and making the event a success. Our prayers for Brenda to rest in peace and the spirit of Jesus Christ comfort family and friends.
My condolences to the Perkins family. My name is Norma Cook and I met Brenda over 30 years ago at Rigbys. She has done so much for our family over the years from my girls first haircut to first communion to graduations to prom and eventually there weddings. What really touch me is when she came to my house and shaved my head because I had breast cancer. She has been a wonderful friend and will be missed. Sorry I can’t be there but I am in Florida for the winter. I just wanted you to know how special she was to me and my family. Again I’m so sorry for your loss.
So heartbreaking, we loved her! She taught us how to be spit spot clean & was so proud of our growth. The only type of inspector that we eventually came to not fear coming in as she taught instead of slapping on the wrist. I was looking forward to her next visit. I’ll think of her daily on the job as I go through work. I enjoyed seeing her facebook posts about her home & dogs too. RIP Brenda.
My sympathies to all of Brenda’s family and friends.
Brenda’s giving spirit and sense of humor, all.., of her God given talents made her an angel here for us.
May your hearts be healed by the wonderful memories you shared with Brenda here on earth and sustain you until we are all rejoined in Heaven.
Jean and family I’m so sorry for your loss you are all in my thoughts and prayers. God bless you.
Oh my goodness Brenda all the laughs you gave and the stories we told at the salon. So hard to know you will no longer be there. I send my heartfelt condolences to her parent and and all who were so close to her. She came to my house on several occasions to cut mine and my husbands hair after surgeries. She had a heart of gold. Rest In Peace my friend until we meet again!
Brenda was awesome. For over 20 years and from a young age she cut my hair. Put up with temper tantrums when I was mad that my mom asked her to curl it. Helped me donate it to various causes when it got too long. Made sure I looked stunning for homecoming, penny queen, junior ring and prom. Did it for the most important day when I got married. She was the bomb. I’ll miss the trims, updos and eyebrow waxes but most important of all, the conversations. My condolences to all of her family.
We Always referred to each other as my “Sister from Another Mister”. I can hardly believe you are Gone, Way too Soon!!
I just saw Brenda and her Parents, 2 weeks ago, when They walked into my dads Funeral. You have NO IDEA how much the Perkins Family means to me… and at that moment, when they walked in… You were the BRIGHT spot on such a VERY sad day for me!!!! We picked up right where we left off!!!
Thank you for the pennies… Since I can’t be there to put them in with you… I sent them to you in a balloon , I just released.
My Condolences to all of your Family and Friends!!! I will Miss You Forever…I Love you My Sister!!!
A next door neighbor for many years, We watched Brenda grow up into a beautiful
woman, so sorry to hear she passed, to Walt and Bev. our most sincere condolences
John , Sherry Tracie and Chris. we will have Brenda and all the family in our prayers
We send our deepest sympathy to all of the Perkins family. Our thoughts, hearts and prayers are with you.
Brenda will be missed by Chrystyle’s dearly
I was very saddened when I received the news of Brenda’s passing today myself and others who knew and loved Brenda were sad to hear of her transition. I worked with Brenda at a beauty college for a short time I remember the excitement in Brenda’s voice when she found out she had gotten her dream job as a MO State Board Inspector. Brenda loved that she would have a company car every holiday off and in true Brenda fashion said all the perks your heart could handle she excelled as an Inspector anytime she visited a salon or school for an inspection people were happy to see her because she was a true joy and she never met a stranger. I last saw Brenda in October when she came for an inspection we were so excited to see each other and in our last text she thanked me for being a good friend to her. I will forever treasure those words. Heaven has gained an angel Rest in paradise
We are so sad to learn about the loss of your daughter, Brenda. Dale and I are keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
My dear friend of 35plus years. We knew each other before 1st husbands. She fixed me up with my husband chuck on a blind date. We were together everyday since our first date 24 years of marriage. Chuck passed away 7 months ago. They are together in heaven. I miss you dearly
I feel I’ve known Brenda for over forty years. She arranged a blind date for my best friend, Jan Dayton, and Chuck Sheppard. I finally met her at Chuck’s funeral last year. I’m so glad I was able to put a face to the name! It’s with much sadness that I just learned about her passing, and I feel so lucky to have met her. Wishing you hope in the midst of sorrow, Comfort in the midst of pain.