Ms. Gloria Jean Perkins Cabrera

Gloria Jean Perkins was born April 28, 1955 to Roberta Ward and Walter Lee Perkins in Brandon, MS. She was baptized at Truevine M.B. Church at the age of six by Rev. Louis Gardner in Brandon, MS. She was a member of the Sunbeam Choir, the Truevine Junior Choir, and the Palace of Children, She attended Carter High School until the seventh grade. She was one of the first to attend Brandon High School during the freedom of choice era. After enduring many hardships during this transitional period of the Civil Rights Movement, she still managed to adjust and flourish. She was an honor student, junior class secretary, and vice president of her senior class of 1973. She received her business certification from Draighn's Business College in Jackson, MS, and then she worked for the Mississippi State Board of Nursing. She moved to Washington, DC several years later and attended the University of Washington D.C. Within a few months, she was offered a job with the person who was then the City Councilman, Marion Berry. Once he became mayor, she served in several positions under two administrations, ultimately as the Special Assistant to the Mayor. Then she met Lionel Cabrera, and they were married in 1979. She then attended the International Institute of Interior Design. In 1984, she received an offer to move back home and join the staff of Le'Chic. She was one of the first stylists to bring sew-in weaves to black salons. She was a pioneer in nail design in 1984, creating styles that resemble what you see today. She owned and opened her own salon soon after, called Secrets, where she worked until her disease prevented her from working. She and Stewart Thomas welcomed three children, Edrika Thomas. Aaron Thomas and Amber Thomas. Her love for her children drove her work ethic throughout her life. She worked for Nissan North America for eight years. She married Johnny Megowen in 2005. She loved to garden and landscaped for many. She was an artist and a faux finisher, utilizing her talents in many million-dollar homes throughout the state. She spent most of her travels near water. She was known for being a diligent worker, often holding down multiple jobs at a time. She always had the prettiest yard in her neighborhood, and she never met a stranger. She leaves to cherish her in memory, her three children, Edrika T. Thomas of Jackson, Aaron (Shoshanna) Thomas of Fort Lauderdale, FL, and Amber Z. Thomas of Jackson, MS, three grandchildren, Nora Bella Thomas, Elle Jae Johnson, and Mariah Topp Thomas, one sister Josephine (Rickey) Proctor, brothers William (Virginia) Ward, Eric (Donna) Ward, Jerome Ward, Philip (Angela) Ward, John Kennerson of Texas, Joe Perkins of Texas, and brother-in-law, Elijah Walker, Sr. Gloria dedicated her life to serving and giving back. She loved Jesus and shared his love with all who would listen. She cared for herself as an example of what all we should strive to be. She is preceded in death by her father, Walter Lee Perkins; one sister, Edna Ruth Walker; two brothers, Jessie Ray Ward and Raphael Winsley; and one grandchild, Elijah Josepn Johnson.

Ms. Gloria Jean Perkins Cabrera

April 28, 1955 - November 16, 2025