Hope Elizabeth Perkins

It is with family heavy hearts as well as caregivers love that we announce the peaceful passing at home of Hope Elizabeth Perkins, in Newport, RI on May 18, 2026. She was born on September 13, 1945. She was eighty years of age and the fourth of eight children.

She was deeply loved by family by her surviving five sisters, Cynthia L. Smothers of Middletown, RI, Pauline A. Moye of Newport, RI, Marsha G. Mitchell of Sacramento, CA, Marjorie L. Wingate of Trenton, NJ, and Roslyn L. Tynes of Newport News, VA. She was preceded in death by our parents, sister Sandra M. Perkins, and brother William H. Perkins, Jr. She leaves a host of nieces and nephews as well as grand nieces and nephews.

As a special needs person, her life journey was different from most but taught us all the true meaning of patience, resilience, and unconditional love. Hope had a pure heart and love for family and her Looking Upwards group home caregivers with joy in the simplest things in life. She had her likes and dislikes. Through the years, Hope enjoyed listening to music, the latest songs, occasional opportunities to dance, and a good meal. She occasionally mentioned the song "We are Family," by Sister Sledge since 1979, which says "I got all my sisters with me." Hope also remembered other popular back in the day songs.

Hope enjoyed the Rec Reunion picnic, saying "hi" to people who greeted her and sometimes said "What is your name?" She enjoyed second helpings of the grilled and all prepared food. In addition, Hope always looked forward to visiting her two older sisters Cynthia and Pauline in their homes for dinner and watching TV, as well as talking about "back in the day topics."

She attended the Maher Center and had little jobs as well as recreation on a daily basis until she was no longer physically able to do so. In her younger years Hope participated in the Special Olympics on a regular basis as a runner. In the past she was taken to several churches by the group home caregivers and in the recent four years attended Community Baptist Church with caregivers. She and her caregivers sat in the rear of the congregation. She was baptized approximately fifteen years ago.

We sisters always made a point to talk with Hope about God and Jesus. She always remembered the teaching "no one is perfect, Only Jesus. During the last month of her life she was ministered to by family and caregivers. She could not respond. With the phone held to her ear, Sisters talked to her to say they loved her. The phone was held to her ear so she could listen to songs and hymns, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," Scriptures were read to her, and prayer said over her assuring Hope that God loves her."

The Family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the Visiting Nurses Hospice, Doctors, Looking Upwards, Heatherwood Nursing and Rehab Center, Newport Hospital , Memorial Funeral Home as well as Community Baptist Church for compassionate caregiving for Hope.

A celebration of Hope's life will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Community Baptist church on 50 Dr. Marcus F. Wheatland Blvd, calling hours 10:00-10:40am, funeral service 10:50-11:30am. Burial will be in the Newport Memorial Park. After, refreshments will be served in the church Annex.