Maria Guadalupe "Lupita" (Sotelo) Perkins

EDINBURG - Maria Guadalupe "Lupita" (Sotelo) Perkins passed away peacefully at her home in Edinburg, Texas, on Saturday, March 29, 2025. She was born on August 26, 1934, in San Isidro Ocampo, Guanajuato, Mexico. She was preceded in death by her parents, Vidal Sotelo and Maria Guadalupe Soto Villescas; her sisters, Maria del Jesus Yglesias and Maria Socorro Reyes; and her son, Michael Gerald Perkins. Maria graduated from McAllen High School and later dedicated 19 years of service to the Hidalgo County Appraisal District, retiring in 2000. A woman of strong faith, she also taught CCD classes for many years at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Edinburg.

After high school, Maria moved to El Paso, Texas, where she met and married David Gerald Perkins while he was stationed there. As a devoted military wife, she accompanied him through various postings—including Stuttgart, Germany—before settling in McAllen, Texas following his final assignment at Fort Hood. In 1988, Maria discovered a passion for poetry that became a meaningful creative pursuit. Her first poem, “In the Company of God,” was published in 1992 by the World Book of Poetry. Her work appeared in publications by the National Library of Poetry and The International Library of Poetry. She received multiple Editor’s Choice Awards for poems including “A Fallen Star Returns to Heaven,” “I’ll Cry Tomorrow,” and “Lobo Lake.” In 1994, she was honored at the International Society of Poets symposium in Washington, D.C. In her later years, Maria enjoyed drawing and spending time with her family.

Mrs. Perkins is survived by her three children, Lisa Ann Perkins, Joseph David Perkins, and David Gerald (Rosie) Perkins II; eleven grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and four siblings.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Amara Hospice for their compassionate care during Maria’s final days. Maria’s legacy of faith, creativity, and love will continue to inspire all who knew her. May her memory bring comfort and peace to those she leaves behind.

Visitation will be from 5 pm. to 9 p.m. with a 7 p.m. rosary, Thursday, April 3, 2025, at Legacy Chapels 4610 South Jackson Road in Edinburg. Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m on Friday, April 4, 2025, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Garden of Angels Cemetery Mission.

Funeral services are under the direction of Legacy Chapels in Edinburg.