Vadis Perkins

“I believe there are angels among us, Sent down to us, from somewhere up above. They come to you and me, in our darkest hours, To show us how to live, to teach us how to give, To guide us with the light of love.” The group Alabama recorded the song from which those lyrics come in 1993 and it has been covered many times by many artists since. Little could any of them have known they were singing about Vadis Perkins. But they most assuredly were. One of God’s most precious angels, Vadis spread her wings and flew to rejoin His flock on May 7, 2015, after a lifetime of love and laughter, teaching and giving. She leaves behind an unconquerable spirit which will forever grace the lives of all those God gifted with her presence and who will miss her and think of her often. Surely she is now soaring through the heavens with her own angel, Michele, who gained her wings earlier this very year. Vadis Jean Hargis arrived on this earth on February, 21, 1951 in Warren, Arkansas – the oldest child of Bob and Betty Hargis. From an early age, inspired by a beloved teacher at Warren High School, Vadis knew she wanted to teach, to impact young lives. And impact them she did. After graduating from the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Vadis began her career in Dermott, Arkansas in 1973. For the next 35 years, she taught English in Dermott and at St. Martin High School in Ocean Springs, educating and inspiring generations of young minds. In the days since the news of her passing, dozens of messages have been received by the family and through social media from grieving former students – some who had not seen Vadis in more than 30 years – expressing not only their sadness, but gratitude for all she had done for them. The song says “They come to you and me in our darkest hours,” – and Vadis did just that for a young college basketball player named Mike Perkins. In 1970, roughly 18 months after both his parents and a younger brother died in a car accident, Vadis came into Mike’s life – the result of a blind date to a Sadie Hawkins dance when the two were college students. She was a Godsend for Mike, who needed not only love in his life, but guidance, as well. Vadis provided both in spades. The two were inseparable, marrying in 1971 and for more than 44 years they never left each other’s side. Mike and Vadis came south to Ocean Springs in 1978, with the two both taking jobs at St. Martin High School, where Vadis was an English teacher and Mike the head boys basketball coach. In 1974, they started a family with the birth of Michele. Six years later, Beth arrived. To be sure, Vadis was passionate about teaching, but her most fervent passion was her family. As the girls grew, the Perkins home became a central location for gatherings of the girls and their friends – particularly during their high school years. Vadis was a wonderful cook and it was virtually impossible to walk into the Perkins home without her offering something to eat. No matter how she was feeling, she always had a smile for a visitor or to ask how you were doing or about your family. She cared about people, intensely. She saw through your faults and frailties and always sought to bring out the best in everyone – family, friends, and students. Simply put, she had a gift for people. Correct that, she was a gift TO people. In Vadis’ eyes, her “Most Precious Angel” was her granddaughter Gracie Beth. There is no doubt that this girl will soar in life and continue to spread her wings to share love, laughter and happiness, as her Grandmother did. Vadis was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Betty Hargis, and a daughter, Michele. She is survived by her husband, Mike; daughter, Beth(Chad) Wold; two sisters, Ruth Hargis and Betty Kay (Grady) Marshall; a brother, Allen(Georganna); her granddaughter, Gracie Beth Graham; her daughter in every way but blood, Marsha Bilbo; her brother-in-law, Chuck Perkins; and sister-in-law, Brenda Perkins. Words cannot express how grateful Mike and Beth are for all of the love, support and care given by her sister, Ruth, during this most difficult time. Trying times like these remind us just how important having family by your side is. The family also would like to say a special thank you to Pinnacle Hospice for their care and love they showed towards Vadis and family. Visitation will be held Tuesday, May 12 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford-O’Keefe, with a memorial service to follow at 6 p.m. A private burial will be held at Crestlawn Memorial Park in Ocean Springs Wednesday, where Vadis will be laid to rest alongside her beloved daughter, Michele. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation, P.O. Box 1848, Longmont, CO 80502 in Vadis’ memory. View and sign register book at www.bradfordokeefe.com.