MARTHA PERKINS WALDRON PERRIN
1954-2018
Martha Perkins Waldron Perrin, 63, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, February 25, 2018. Martha was born in Austin, Texas on May 14, 1954 to Roman S. Waldron III and Patricia Perkins Crocker. She and Harry Perrin wed in Avignon, France on September 29, 1992. Martha graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1975 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. She also completed her Master’s Degree in Psychology at Texas A&I and received her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 1980.
Martha practiced law in San Antonio for thirteen years, during which time her primary areas of practice were real estate, oil and gas, and general business transactions. She enjoyed doing stand-up title work in small Texas counties because, as she put it, “You learn a lot about the history of a county when you study its title records all the way back to the inception of title.”
In September 1994, Martha and Harry were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Harrison Alexandra Perkins Perrin. Martha then retired from practicing law to devote her life to being a loving, loyal and supportive wife and mother. Martha traveled countless miles throughout the country for Harrison’s cutting horse competitions, with her one rule being that she would never pull a horse trailer. Harrison took over the driving when she turned 16, whereupon she and her Mom made their first journey pulling a trailer (those who knew Martha know she had a white-knuckle grip on the dash for most of the journey-“I trust your driving, Harrison. It’s these other idiots I’m worried about!”). But it wasn’t just about cutting horse competition. Simply put, Martha could not have been prouder of the beautiful young woman that Harrison has become. She took her greatest delight in sharing Harrison’s milestones and achievements along the way.
Martha was very proud of her South Texas heritage – she is a descendant of the George, Sol and Ike West ranching families of South Texas. Martha spent many of her formative years at her grandmother’s (Mabel West “Schotzie” Perkins) ranch in Live Oak County, where she developed her love for the outdoors, learned how to drive the old Willys Jeep, and developed her wingshooting shotgun skills.
Martha loved animals her whole life and was never without a pet (or several). Never one to shrink from a challenge, she and Harrison recently helped their prized Boykin Spaniel, Tate, whelp eight young pups. But after that experience, recognizing that some challenges have their limits, Martha commented, “no mas” to whelping puppies!
Martha is preceded in death by her father, Roman S. Waldron III, her brother, Foy S. Waldron, and her brothers-in-law, Mark Perrin and Paul “Guy” Dillon. She is survived by her husband, Harry Perrin; her daughter, Harrison Perrin; her sister, Nancy Wallace Waldron, and her son, Sterling West Waldron; stepchildren Matt Kenny and Paige Perrin; David Perrin, and Drew and Kristen Perrin and their daughter, Eloise; numerous in-laws, including Betty Kestembaum Perrin, Vera Ann “Siddy” Perrin Dillon, Melinda and Mike Perrin, Marilyn and Bill Ottis, and Ann and Bill Perrin, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and cousins.
Martha was also preceded in death by two of her favorite four-legged friends: Brea, a Welsh Springer Spaniel, and Talulah Lee, a King Charles Spaniel. She is survived by numerous other four-legged friends, including Polo, her loyal Bichon Frise, Phoebe, Tate and Mamie, and two of her favorite barn cats, Domino and Boogie Woogie, and a herd of registered Quarter Horses. For the past several years, Martha split her time between Houston and Brenham, where she helped oversee the family’s Quarter Horse broodmare and training operations.
The family will receive visitors from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at BradshawCarter Memorial & Funeral Services, 1734 W. Alabama St., Houston, TX 77098. A Celebration of Life Funeral Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2018, at St. John the Divine Episcopal Church, 2450 River Oaks Blvd., Houston, TX 77019.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to the Bichon Frise Club of America Charitable Trust, the Hill Country Youth Orchestras(www.hcyo.org) or the charity of your choice.