Linda C. (Frazee) Perkins

Linda Carol Perkins, nee Frazee, of Steelville, MO was born on Friday, June 10, 1949, in St. Louis, MO to Warren Junior Frazee and Evahdene Frazee, nee Meyers. Linda passed away at her home on Friday, September 20, 2024, at the age of 75 years, 3 months, and 10 days. 

She was preceded in death by her mother, Evahdene Frazee; father, Warren Frazee, wife Betty; parents-in-law Lawrence “Tick” and Lucille Perkins; kid sister Karen Dean Frazee; brother Mike Stout; brother-in-law Joseph “Joe” Lawrence Perkins; sister-in-law Sandy Frazee; nephew Jacob Stout, and niece Melissa White.

Linda is survived by her husband of 55 years, Paul E. Perkins of Steelville, MO; children Mark Perkins, Scott Perkins (wife Dawn), and Julie Settles (husband Alex), all of Steelville, MO; 9 grandchildren: Naomi, James, Marli, Aiden, Johnny, Emeri, Claire, Adalei, and Madelyn; siblings Richard Frazee (wife Lori) of Creve Coeur, MO, Gary Frazee of High Ridge, MO, Laurie Baumann (husband Junior) of Ballwin, MO, Lisa White (husband Paul), and Donna Stibor (husband Jim) both of St. Louis, MO, brother-in-law John Perkins (wife Robbie) of Rolla, MO; sisters-in-law Mary Stout of Cuba, MO and Laurie Perkins of Seattle, WA. Linda will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends, as well as by her extraordinary caregivers, Bonnie and Jessica Bell, Sue Nikodym, and Elizabeth Booker. 

A graduate of Steelville High School’s Class of 1967, Linda played softball and volleyball, and used her talents in English and writing to serve on the yearbook committee. Linda’s quiet and humble demeanor often disguised her high intellect. In only three years, she graduated from Southwest Missouri State with a BA in Education. 

On August 16, 1969, at the Steelville Presbyterian Church, Linda married Paul Edward Perkins, while they were both seniors at Southwest Missouri State. Only weeks before her passing, they celebrated 55 years of marriage, surrounded by their beloved children and grandchildren. 

In the early years of their marriage, before she and Paul began working in banking, Linda subbed and taught 3rd grade at Steelville Elementary. She also cheered and coached many children in little league games at the Steelville City Park. Linda never forgot the children she was blessed to support and was glad she could follow them as adults on social media, privately praying for them and wishing them well. A lifelong generous but discreet giver, undoubtedly, there are Steelville residents who still have a book or card that Linda gave them with well thought out and deeply personal inscriptions of encouragement from her. 

Linda never forgot the challenges she faced in her own childhood and young adulthood, and those memories gave her a compassionate spirit that drove her generosity. Though few knew it, she helped pay college tuition for many people in her community, understanding the difficulties of trying to keep up with your studies while working. She anonymously gave to families going through hard times from job loss, sudden tragedy, or illness. Linda Perkins lived out the biblical verse in Matthew 6:3-4, which says, But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Linda did not give to be seen or known about, she gave because she deeply cared about God and her neighbors. 

After God, family, and community, Linda had many things she loved, especially taking each of her grandchildren out for “Grammy Days.” This typically consisted of one child getting special alone time with Grammy, while they shopped, ate out, or did whatever that grandchild chose. Sometimes, she also took the grandkids places in small groups. It didn’t matter to Linda where they went or what they did, those days were all about showing her grands how much they meant to her. 

Linda also enjoyed traveling, attending the theater in St. Louis at The Fox and Muny, and she was a huge supporter of the Steelville Arts Council. But she especially loved sports. She was diligent to attend her children’s and grandchildren’s ballgames and meets. And if you knew her at all, you knew Linda was a diehard St. Louis Cardinals fan who went to as many games as possible, and watched at home, cheering as if she was there. She collected the team’s memorabilia for years. And yet, Linda equally liked quiet time at home. She was an avid reader, puzzle master, and collector of angels, Beanie Babies, and Christmas villages.

Always active in her community, Linda was a member of the Steelville Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder. She was a member of the Eastern Star local chapter, a member of the Steelville Progressive Club, and an active member of the Booster Club. She even used to write articles for the local newspaper featuring sports’ scores and highlights. Linda also participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in St. Louis and golfed in the Wednesday Night Ladies’ League and Friday Night Couples League at Cuba Lakes Golf Course.  

Linda will be fondly remembered by family members and her dearest friends for many things, but most of all, for her willingness to put others before herself. Whether it was “where to go for dinner,” when to eat a holiday meal (as long as it was planned and on time—she did not like last minute surprises), or sacrificing her own health to take care of Paul when his heart and kidneys were failing, Linda placed herself last. At Christmas, she was known to give family members money, but with the requirement that they spend it helping someone in need. One year, she filled purses with essentials and handed them out to women randomly, just to brighten their day. Like the woman described in Proverbs 31, Linda was a strong, intelligent, and kind woman who carried herself with grace, dignity, and deep love. Her husband, children, grandchildren, and others who knew her, were blessed to have her in their lives. She truly inspired you to be a better person.

Visitation was from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at the Steelville Presbyterian Church. Funeral Service was at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 26, 2024 with Rev. Wendy Downing and Rev. Jerry Beers officiating.  Burial was at Steelville Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, memorials were suggested to Shriner’s Hospital in Linda’s honor.

Arrangements under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Steelville, MO.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Linda C. (Frazee) Perkins, please visit our floral store.