Funeral services for Betty Jane Perkins Barrentine, 76, of Leland will be held Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Leland. She died December 28, 2015 at her residence in Leland following an extended illness. Burial will be in the Leland-Stoneville Cemetery, under the direction of Boone Funeral Home, Leland.
Betty was born April 20, 1939 in Dell, Arkansas to the late Golden Fostina Rogers Perkins and Lester Franklin Perkins. She was a 1957 graduate of Elaine High School in Arkansas where she was a member of the Beta Club, a Girl’s State Delegate, and was selected FFA Sweetheart. On May 31, 1957, Betty married her high school sweetheart, William L. “Bill” Barrentine, of late. The couple made their home in Leland, Mississippi where Betty was an administrative assistant for Taylor Webb, Attorney at Law and later worked as an administrative assistant at Stoneville Pedigreed Seed Company until her retirement.
Betty was an excellent seamstress. Her earliest sewing projects were done as a means to help clothe her three daughters. She would spend countless hours at her sewing machine in order to ensure her daughters would have beautiful, stylish garments to wear. Her creations included such clothing items as basic blouses and pants, dresses, coats, and original prom dresses. Her workmanship would rival any famous designer! Betty’s sewing evolved from a labor of love to a true love of the craft. Her later creations included heirloom quilts, original home furnishing items, and one-of-a-kind heirloom dresses for her granddaughters.
Betty was also an avid gardener. She enjoyed spending time outdoors in her flower gardens. A stroll through her backyard would send one on an enchanted journey through irises, hydrangeas, roses, peonies, lilacs, holly-hocks, jonquils, gerbera daisies, crepe myrtles, lantana and more!
Although Betty loved her sewing and gardening, her greatest love was her family. She was a loving wife for almost 53 years, a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt. She enjoyed spending time with her family playing marbles and cards, and simply just visiting. Her zest for life, devotion to her family, and faith in God, enabled her to stand strong amidst life’s hardships and struggles. She was a true Southern Lady.
Betty was a member of First Baptist Church in Leland where she served on the hospitality committee, served as secretary for her Sunday School Class, and enjoyed worshiping and fellowship with others. She was an active member of the Leland Deer Creek Garden Club. Betty was also a member of the Sew Social Club and the Quilter’s Guild of Greenville, Mississippi.
Betty is survived by her three daughters, Karon Hales (Bill) of Thomasville, Georgia, Janice Hendrix (Tommy) of Leland, and Kim Cook (Dickey) of Bolivar, Tennessee. She loved spending time with her eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Sauls (Sean) of Moultrie, Georgia, Drew Hales of Jacksonville, Florida, Justin Hales of Fort Meyers, Florida, Maegan Meeks (Matt) of Coxburg, Mississippi, Thomas Hendrix (Whitney) of Jackson, Mississippi, Elliot Hendrix (Jamie) of Cleveland, Mississippi, Tyler Cook of Memphis, Tennessee, and Kaitlyn Cook of Bolivar, Tennessee. Betty was also a great grandmother to Colton and MacKinley Sauls of Moultrie, Georgia and Ava Grace and Anna Bryce Meeks of Lexington, Mississippi. Betty is also survived by two sisters, Ruby Nell Stallings of West Helena Arkansas, and Brenda Bethune (Edward) of Enville, Tennessee, and three brothers, Joe Perkins (Helen) of Elaine, Arkansas, Clois Perkins (Doris) of North Little Rock, Arkansas, and Larry Perkins (Sherry) of Lambrook, Arkansas.
Betty is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, William L. “Bill” Barrentine, one brother, Eugene Perkins, and two sisters, Opal Perkins Brown, and Wilma Sue Perkins.
There will be a visitation one hour prior to services at the church. Reverend Jon Doler will officiate.
Pallbearers for Mrs. Barrentine will be Drew Hales, Justin Hales, Thomas Hendrix, Elliot Hendrix, Tyler Cook, and Lou Andrews. Colton Sauls will serve as an Honorary Pallbearer.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Grace Hospice and to Ms. Bernice Jackson….a tender heart with a tender soul.