Annie Laverne Perkins

Annie "Laverne" Baker Perkins departed from Las Cruces, NM bound for Heaven on December 20, 2022 at the age of 99.

Laverne was born in Texas on November 19, 1923, to William J. Baker and Ira Howard Baker. She was part of a full house with five other sisters and three brothers. She married Calvin Henry Perkins on March 19, 1942, in Mt. Pleasant, TX. Together they had three sons Calvin Kenneth, Henry Max, and William Jack.

Laverne had many jobs ranging from farm hand, working in a basket factory where she was paid by the basket, a Woolworth cashier, seamstress, and a self-taught successful residential drafter/designer.

Laverne was a talented sought-after seamstress, having sewn garments for Lady Bird Johnson and the actress Dale Evans. She was an even more accomplished drafter/designer. Did you catch the part where I said she was self-taught? This amazing woman was designing homes for a successful construction company for over 50 years with no formal training or education in this field. She once said it came easy to her because she was used to making her own sewing patterns - that it would just come together for her.

She was a woman of faith and a dedicated member, of the Temple Baptist Church for over 60 years.

They would eventually settle in Las Cruces, NM, where they would make a successful living building homes for over 50 years as Perkins Construction. In New Mexico, her family would continue to grow as Kenneth, Max, and Jack would marry. The family would soon grow to include eight grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Her parents, William and Ira baker, husband Calvin Perkins, and her siblings Lorine, Wenford Rex, Wanda Jo, Joy Ruth, William Lee, and Jerry Wayne, preceded Laverne's death.

She is survived by two of her sisters, Joy and Aletta, her sons and their wives, Kenneth and Joan Perkins, Max and Darla Perkins, and Jack and Vickie Perkins. She is also survived by her eight grandchildren, their spouses Warren and Tina Perkins, Michelle and David Kane, Addy and Terry Reeves, Henry Perkins, Wesley Perkins, Tiffany and Keith Hartman, Tye Dale Perkins, and Chad and Charlotte Perkins and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

When asked what she was most proud of, it wasn't her personal success. She simply responded, "my three sons."

A funeral is scheduled for December 30, 2022 for 11:00 am at Temple Baptist Chruch located 2300 Missouri, Las Cruces, NM, with a reception to follow. The viewing will be held at 10:00 am at Temple Baptist Church. Please join us in the celebration of Laverne Perkins. Condolences can be sent to www.GetzCares.