Mary Lou Perkins, age 96, formerly of Columbia, Missouri passed away on December 7, 2023, in Lakewood, Colorado with family at her side.

Visitation will be held at Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel on Wednesday, December 13, 2023 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm with the service to follow at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Mary Lou, the youngest of nine children, was born on November 24, 1927, in the Hallsville, Missouri area to William and Mattie Ray. She was a graduate of Hickman High School. Mary Lou married Fred Perkins on September 14, 1946, and they raised three children. She lived in Columbia, Missouri until 2019 when she relocated to Lakewood, Colorado to live with her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Richard Hucker.  Mary Lou worked for the Columbia Public School System for many years as the secretary for Rock Bridge Elementary School. She served numerous principals, scores of children and, on occasion, the children of children who had attended Rock Bridge. She retired in 1991 after which she and Fred purchased a 5th wheel trailer and began a new life of adventure exploring the country, resulting in many funny stories.

Mary Lou was preceded in death by her husband, Fred in 2001 and her son Mike Perkins, in 2014.

She is survived by her two daughters, Donna Ray and husband, Bruce, of Pagosa Springs, Colorado; and Carol Hucker and her husband, Richard, of Lakewood, Colorado. She is survived by five grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and two great, great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the American Cancer Society, The Alzheimer’s Association or the charity of the donor’s choice c/o Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, 1610 N. Garth Avenue, Columbia, MO 65202