The Passing of Jessica Ann Perkins

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A daughter, Jessica Ann Perkins, given by the Lord to Steve Bruce Perkins and Sandra Lee Knowles, was born in Baker City, Oregon on December 28, 1979, and passed from this life at her mother’s home in Provo Utah, early Saturday morning, June 7, 2008 following a two-year long battle with cancer. Jessica was a vibrant young woman full of life whose sunny disposition made her a pleasure to be around. She possessed an honest heart and lived her life in accordance to this. She exuded compassion and charity. Jessica left this world with a close relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She embraced the truth spoken of in Revelations: “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them: (Revelation 14:13).

Early in life, Jessica was raised on the century-old Perkins family cattle ranch in Baker City, Oregon. She embraced being a country girl. She was a capable and able hard worker and loved being out-of-doors. During her younger years she was active in 4H and FFA. She obtained grand champion ribbons for her cooking at the State Fair level. She became a fantastic cook mastering skills from gourmet cooking to Dutch oven cooking. She loved to go camping with her family and her Dutch oven cooking was a highlight. She often entertained family and friends leaving a legacy of enjoyment for many. She was nick-named “the scrap book queen” with her legacy of family history living on in the memories she captured and documented.

Jessica loved to dance from the time she was very small and she really had rhythm. She was an avid reader enjoying religious books as well as fiction. She collected a large library of books. She was very intelligent and cherished learning. She was quick to smile and laugh. Most of all, she would tell you she loved her family. Her greatest joy was spending time with them. She was kind and giving to everyone. Children gravitated to her. Although she never had children of her own, she was a positive influence in many children’s lives and we loved her sense of humor, delighting us all with her keen wit. Her sparkling brown eyes and beautiful smile will forever be cherished memories of “Our Jessie.”

Education: She graduated from Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah. She attended Utah Valley Community College majoring in early child development.

She was proceeded in death by her grandfather James Knowles, and by her great grandparents David and Zelma Hunt, Brent and Francis Perkins, and a cousin Shannon Anderson. She is survived by her mother, Sandra Knowles of Provo, Utah, her father Steve Perkins of Baker City, Oregon, a brother Steven Perkins of Orem, Utah, a sister Alisa Perkins Boulter with her husband Robert Boulter, and Jessica’s beloved little nephew, Charlie, also of Orem, Utah. Grandmother Mary Knowles of Heber City, Utah and grandparents Eugene and Annie Perkins of Baker City, Oregon.