Myrene B. Perkins
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Myrene Berdean Perkins, age 75, passed away Thursday, July 1, 2021 at her daughter's home, on hospice care, from Dementia with her loving family beside her. She was born on November 16, 1945 in Highland Park, Michigan to the late George W. and Evelyn Corrine (Cox) Perkins. Her family attended a Methodist church near Royal Oak, MI and she performed often in the church choir with her Mother, brothers and sister. Myrene graduated from Kimball High School in Royal Oak, Michigan in 1964. After High School she married John Malley and they had two sons, Marc and Dwayne. She and John later divorced and their sons resided with their Grandmother Evelyn. In 1974 Myrene married Dennis T. Stokes of Troy MI, they had two daughters Tamara and Amber. Myrene supported Dennis with his musical career and she was always planning and preparing for cocktail parties, sewing, and shared in many traveling adventures together. They were married for 22 years until their divorce in 1996, separating in 1994 at which time Myrene relocated to Traverse City, Michigan with her daughters. She also reunited with her sons many times over the years. She graduated from Northwestern Michigan College with an Associate Degree in business in 2005 at the age of 60. Although she was a homemaker for most of her life, she had many skills. Myrene worked at Ben Franklin's Craft Store in Traverse City, and as a customer service representative at Quick Check Cashing in Traverse City. As a homemaker, she wowed guests with her cooking, how creative she was with crafts and catering. She retired at age 65, lived alone and looked after her grandchildren. Myrene was very proud of her Native American Heritage. She enjoyed knitting in her younger years but she preferred to crochet and if she heard that someone was going to have a baby she would make them gifts such as booties, hats, and blankets. Her family often received crocheted Christmas presents, things they will cherish always. She also loved to sew her children's and later her grandchildren's Halloween costumes. Myrene loved to spend as much time with her family as she could, often having summer cookouts and baking Christmas cookies with her daughters and her grandchildren. She was known fondly by her grandchildren as "GG" and was introduced as grandma to all the children that came her way. She had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing in church in her younger years. Myrene had a loving spirit. She was caring, kind, tenacious, compassionate and empathetic to others. She was a loving Mother and Grandmother and would say 'her children' were her greatest accomplishment. At the age of 73 she was diagnosed with onset Dementia. She received assistance in her home until her daughters relocated her to Assisted Living. After deterioration of medical care Myrene was placed in Hospice care in her daughter's home to prepare for end of life. Myrene is survived by her sons; Marc Perkins of Traverse City, Michigan and Dwayne Malley (Krista) of Harbor Beach, Michigan; her daughters Tamara (Lewis) Sokolowski of Kaleva, Michigan, Amber Annis (Mike) of Houghton Lake, Michigan, and Tricia Bearden of Traverse City (whom she loved like her own) grandchildren; Allena Annis (Nathan) of Traverse City, Michigan, Briana Annis (Anthony) of Gaylord, Michigan, Skylar Brodbent (Brandon), Carmyn Brodbent of Kaleva, Michigan and Emma Malley of Harbor Beach. She is also survived by two great grandsons; Trayson Garn and Hayden Constantine with two great granddaughters due to arrive later this year. Myrene is also survived by her brother Leonard Perkins (Patricia), sister LaDean (Perkins) Lombardi and brother Jay Perkins. Per her wish's cremation has taken place and a celebration of life party will be held July 25th, 2021 3-7pm at Elmwood Township Park 9991 E Cherry Bend Rd, Traverse City, MI 49684. Donations may be sent to Munson Hospice or Dementia Awareness. Flowers may be brought to the event on the 25th.