Ashlea, you arrived on a beautiful fall's day in SHAPE, Belgium. On September 22, 1985, the sky was clear, the air was crisp, and the leaves were in their early stage of changing to become the grand array of colors reflective of the season. Your birth brought the same sort of splendor to your loving parents, Larry and Diane Perkins. Their emotions were like the color spectrum of the leaves. Laughter displayed their happiness (yellow) at becoming your parents. Tremendous joy (orange) and passion (red) filled their hearts as they gazed upon their beautiful little princess. Their commitment to love you unconditionally and be solid and dependable (brown) parents was palpable.

Ashlea, I knew you before forming you in your mother's womb. I knew you would be energetic, athletic, fearless, theatrical and full of personality. At three years old, your family moved to Offstein, a village near Worms in Rhein Hesse, Germany. You did not miss a beat! At the age of four, you joined your first softball (T-ball) team, which led to your passion for competitive sports and athleticism. I walked with you every step of the way. I was with you as you trotted off to kindergarten in the village, full of excitement about the prospect of learning. You quickly adapted to the culture and language, which was beautiful because it allowed you to relate more and speak to your late grandmother, Anneliese, in her native dialect. When you talked to your grandma, you did not like to translate for your parents; too funny! I can still see your eyes rolling.

Ashlea, you loved to play dress up and take pictures. You were quite the little entertainer. I told you to be strong and courageous, not to be afraid or discouraged, for I am with you wherever you go. You operated accordingly. You fancied the arts and began acting in plays and dancing with a jazz group. Your smile was contagious. You loved performing, and the people in the village adored you, and they spoiled you beyond measure with food, chocolates and all sorts of goodies. Your mom commented that you always seemed to be in a pose, looking back as though to say, "Hey, did you get that picture?" My child, you understood the writer who said, "there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can." Yes, girl, you were on fire!

Ashlea, your parents understood the proverb, "train up a child in the way she should go and when she is old, she will not depart from it. Your spiritual formation began at home. As a child, you received baptism in the Catholic church. You continued to grow while in Offstein, where you completed catechism. Ashlea, I destined you for adoption as My child through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of My will. You are justified by the blood of Jesus, and much more, are saved.

In December 1991, you had to make room to become a big sister when your baby brother Larry Jr. was born. You continued to thrive over the years and enjoyed life and all the activities that military life and your village had to offer. As a big sister, you had few things to teach the new kid on the block. One day as Ida was in the dining room caring for Larry Jr., you decided to leap from atop the table to the floor. Yes, you showed your little brother how big and strong you were and also taught him a sure-fire way to split your lip in the process. In 1995, your dad received orders to serve at United States Military Academy at West Point. Your family lived on Stewart Airbase in New Windsor, New York. You continued your primary education at Little Brittan Elementary School in New Windsor, where you played softball, which you loved. In November of that year, your youngest brother Michael was born. Enough was enough!

Ashlea, you went to your mom to ask her a serious question, "Why did you have more?" Of course, you were referring to your brothers, whom you loved, but did not necessarily want to share with your parents. You excelled in sports and tried out for a travel team started by your dad and some of his friends. You made the team and began traveling with The Revolution Softball Team to play in games across the United States. In 1997, the family transitioned to Vicenza, Italy, where you attended middle school. You decided to try your feet at soccer while your dad served as the team coach. I am sure you recognized his lack of skills. If you didn't, I did. You see, I am the all-seeing and all-knowing God. Nothing gets past me. Larry would call his buddies back in New York to get tips on how to coach the team. Unfortunately, that did not work. You guys were like the bad news bears, simply horrible! During your stay in Italy, your parents would fly you back to the states to play in competitions with Revolution.

Ashlea, your time in Italy was short-lived. In 1999, your family returned to West Point, where you began your secondary education. You joined the Washingtonville High School cheerleading squad, softball and volleyball team. You excelled academically and in sports. Your 10-years commitment and contributions to the Revolution Softball Team led to a 3 ^rd place ranking at the national level. Upon graduation, you attended York College in Pennsylvania, where you studied communication. In 2005, upon your father's retirement from the Army, the family permanently relocated to Richmond, Texas. Ashlea, I told you that I would never leave you nor forsake you, and if you draw close to me, I will draw close to you. Upon semester closing, you relocated to Texas to be with your family. You and the family settled in your new home and began worshipping at River Pointe Church.

Ashlea, you transferred to the University of Houston, where you earned your Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications. In 2008, when it was time to transition from school to career, you were ready. You understood that you would reap the rewards of your labor when you began working as a babysitter and during summer jobs with the U. S. Government at West Point. Your first career assignment was with Memorial Hermann Healthcare System. During your four-year tenure, you excelled in human resources, from a representative to a specialist and recruitment consultant. In 2021, you took a promotion as a recruiter at Methodist Hospital in Houston. The following year, you became a talent acquisition partner with Sysco Business Services in Cypress, where you remained for the next four years. In 2017, you began working as a patient services coordinator at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. In 2018, you took a promotion to serve as a human resources manager at Target in Spring, Texas. In 2021, you returned to the role of talent acquisition partner with Advanced Diagnostics of Houston.

Ashlea, life is but a few days; it sprouts up like a flower and withers. Your days were like an evening shadow; swifter than a runner; they flew away. I know it may seem strange to those who saw you working out and cooking on the grill one day, then get an excellent job opportunity a few days later, then to learn that on May 14, 2022, you answered My call to come, where the wicked shall cease from troubling, and the weary shall be at rest. Come to a place where there will be no more sickness, no more sadness and where the Sabbath will have no end. Ashlea Anneliese Perkins , come and take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your soul. For My yoke is easy and my burden is light. Come home, princess; you have fought the good fight and have finished your course. Come home, My good and faithful servant. Come Home!

Ashlea, it is time for you to join that great cloud of witnesses, including your maternal grandparents: Anneliese Leber-Dotson and Willie Dotson; your paternal grandparents: Earl H. Perkins Sr. and Betty Lou Perkins and uncle: James Beasley.

Bid farewell to your loving parents, Larry and Diane Perkins; brothers, Larry (Ruby) Jr. and Michael; Second mom: Ida De Chavez of Richmond; aunties: Carmen Gray of Lee's Summit, Missouri, Kem Perkins and Beatrice Perkins of Topeka, Kansas; uncles: Earl Perkins Jr. of Los Angeles, California, Mose White of Clay Center, Kansas, Eugene Perkins of Topeka, Kansas and Richard (Nancy) Perkins of Abilene, Kansas; as well as, a host of other family members and friends.

Written with love and respect from the perspective of God by Rev. Marvetta M. Walker

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