Gloria Sue Perkins

Gloria Sue Okes Perkins, beloved wife, mother, friend, teacher, counselor, and writer, of Springdale, Ark., passed away June 18, 2014, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale. She was born in Hannibal, Mo., on Jan. 5, 1932, to Guy Chalmer and Irene Hanson Okes. Her youth was spent in Frankford, Mo. She was an honors graduate of the School of Journalism at the University of Missouri at Columbia. Gloria married Everett "Dan" Perkins of June 20, 1953. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2003. A brilliant career woman, she first became editor of the Webster Groves, Missouri News-Times, moving to the post of Public Relations Director for the St. Louis County Library System, where she successfully organized a campaign resulting in funds to build a whole new network of county libraries. After several years as a magazine editor, she reached her highest accomplishment of working with Dr. Ed Wheat of Springdale to co-author five Scripture-based self-help books: Intended for Pleasure, Love Life for Every Married Couple: How to Fall in Love, Stay in Love, Rekindle Your Love, The First Years of Forever, How to Save Your Marriage Alone, and Secret Choices: Personal Decisions that Affect Your Marriage. These books have sold millions of copies worldwide and have been translated into more than 30 languages. As a gifted poet, her work has won many prizes. She chaired several writers' groups, including the Springdale Poets and Writers (1981-1988), and served as a judge for numerous poetry contests. In 2010 she published After Eden, a volume of her collected poems. Gloria received Christ as her Savior at the age of 7, becoming an earnest Bible student and devoted Christian for the remainder of her life. She and her husband Dan in partnership were able to provide Christian counseling to many couples, saving marriages. She was a member of Fellowship Bible Church in Springdale, where she became a beloved Bible teacher. She is survived by her husband Dan; two sons, Keith Perkins of Fayetteville, Ark., Michael Perkins of Guernsey, Wy.; a daughter-in-law, Diane "Marty" Perkins; two uncles, Donald Hanson and wife Velma (Montague) of Laddonia, Mo., Paul Hanson and wife Wanda (Lovelace) of Bowling Green, Mo.; and a cousin, Wanda Elwood Purviance of St. Peter, Mo. In addition, she will be deeply missed by many, many friends across the United States and world. A memorial services will be 7 p.m. Monday, July 7, at Fellowship Bible Church in Springdale. Arrangements are with Heritage Funeral Home.