Ellis Winfred Perkins (Papa) passed on from this life Thursday, July 13, 2023 in Brownwood surrounded by his family.
He was born on November 6, 1936 to Marion Perkins and Wilma Cummings Perkins in Ebony, Texas. Ellis graduated from Zephyr High School in May, 1955. He left home shortly after for Pueblo, Colorado where he worked in the steel mills for 11 months. During that time, he saved up enough money to move to San Bernardino, California to attend telegraph school and pursue a job as a Morse Code operator for the Santa Fe railroad. While in San Bernardino he met the love of his life. Ellis had his first date with Roberta Elinor Kidd the week before Christmas in 1956 and married shortly after on July 29th, 1957. He swept her away to Brownwood, Texas where their love blossomed and continued to grow as they established a life for themselves and their family for many years to come. They shared a glorious 56 years together until the time of Roberta’s death in 2013.
Throughout his life, Ellis always worked to serve others and did so in many ways. In 1963, he started delivering Foremost Milk to Brownwood residents and continued to for almost 10 years. Between the years 1972 and 1979 Ellis and Roberta owned and operated two laundromats, one on Coggin Avenue and one on Austin Avenue. While running the laundromats he went to work for Southwest Appliance in 1972 and eight years later Ellis and Roberta bought the business where they worked side-by-side for the rest of their lives.
In his spare time, he was an avid bowler, fisherman, hunter, loved to ranch and play Keno. Ellis was known to have a green thumb and carried a great pride for his beautiful yard and plants indoors and out. Ellis was a kind hearted individual that loved giving and helping others, never taking credit for this ability God blessed him with, and always doing so with a smile on his face. One of his favorite places to donate to was Corrine T. Smith animal shelter in Brownwood, and that was just one of the many charities he contributed to in his lifetime. He was an animal lover and held a special place in his heart for all his sweet cats through the years. No stray ever went hungry if they were in his neighborhood. Ellis (Papa) will be remembered fondly for his incredible knowledge that he enjoyed sharing with any listening ears and his love that was unconditional. Although he will be greatly missed, we are at peace knowing Roberta and Ellis are finally embracing one another again.
Preceding Ellis in death are his wife and best friend, Roberta, their first fur baby, Patches, his parents Marion and Wilma, his brother Larry and his sister-in-law Brenda.
Ellis is survived by children; Debbie Snider, Jamie DeViney husband Gary, Laura Heath husband David, & Yancy Perkins wife Ann. Brothers; Jerry Perkins & Mickey Perkins. Grandkids; Amanda Dudley, Keisha Jones husband Jayme, Falon Eisenhauer, Phillip Burleson wife Skye, Carrie Cox, Kendal Gober wife Marissa, Amber Snider, Jessica Jackson husband Jarryd, Bianca Woods husband Ben, Kelsey Chenault husband Weston, Bailey DeViney wife Katilyn, Vanessa DeViney, Chance Heath wife Diana and Kyle Heath. Great-grand; kids Britney Daniels, Hayden Cox, Alexis Cox, Hailey Eisenhauer, Ethan Woods, Ethan Ethridge, Rebecca Dudley, Trista Burleson, Addison Bennett, Julianna Ethridge, Brooklyn Ballejo, Carter Cox, Parker Burleson, Karson Gober, Mekenlee DeViney, Natalee Woods, Konner Gober, Jase Jones, Ryan Perkins, Colton Heath, Chase Heath, Logan Woods, Miles Ellis Woods, EmmyLou DeViney, Korbin Gober, Raleigh DeViney, Sutton Chenault, and his last fur baby, Carrot-Top.
Funeral services for Ellis will be held at 1:00 PM, Friday, July 21, 2023, at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Indian Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Heartland Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Coggin Ave. Baptist Church, Corrine T. Smith Animal Shelter, the Brownwood Boys & Girls Club, or the charity of your choice in his loving memory.
Condolences, memories, and tributes can be offered to the Perkins family online at heartlandfuneralhome.com