Sharon Ruthadele Perkins

Sharon Ruthadele Perkins died Friday, February 16, 2018, at the Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Maricopa County, Arizona following a lengthy illness.  She was 78 years and 362 days old.  Sharon was born on Sunday, February 19, 1939, in Mesa, Arizona to her parents, the late Edgar Noel and Mildred Lovina (Cluff) Hassell.  After graduating high school, Sharon attended college for a short time.  On January 8, 1960, she married Richard Clifton Powell.  Sadly, after 12 years, their marriage ended.  Later, on November 5, 1976, Sharon married Duane Alden Perkins in Tucson, Arizona.  He died in 1997 and Sharon missed him very much.  Throughout her life, Sharon enjoyed making her house into a home for her family.  She was a devoted wife, loving mother and doting grandmother to her family.  Sharon was one who found great joy in the simple things of life.  She loved to sing and play the omnichord.  She also enjoyed her arts and crafts, well into her advanced years, and had made many things for her family and friends.  She invented patterns for "Chinese Wheel" embroidery and taught classes with it.  Sharon was also an accomplished artist and produced many drawings of local landmarks, which were enjoyed by all who've seen them.   Sharon is survived her large family, including her children:  Ira Jodel "Jody" Powell of Tucson, Arizona, Markham Wayne "Mark" Powell of Texas, Laurie Jeannette Powell Comeau of Florida, Damon Richard Powell of Iowa, Loren Christian Powell of Tucson, Arizona; 3 step-daughters:  Jacque (Tony) Whitehorn of Gilbert, Arizona, Barbara Lynn (John) Cronkhite of Mesa, Arizona, Ruth Ann Perkins of Mesa, Arizona; 3 brothers:  Vaurice Gene (LaJuanna) Hassell of Wickenburg, Arizona, Alton Noel (Cookie) Hassell of Huntington, Utah; 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.  Along with her parents and husband, Sharon was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Michael Norman Hassell and David Leon Hassell. The funeral service for Sharon R. Perkins will begin 12:00 Noon, Saturday, February 24, 2018 at the Clay Springs Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 515 Highway 260 in Clay Springs, Arizona where the visitation will begin 1 hour prior.  The concluding service and interment will immediately follow at the Pinedale Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest alongside her forever sweetheart, Duane. Memorial contributions, in her name, may be made to any local animal rescue shelter or society.  Her family is thankful for all of the expressions of sympathy they have received during this difficult season and are especially grateful for all of the prayers offered up in their behalf.