Denise Marie Lowery (Perkins) was born on July 29, 1940 to Jessie Johnson and Zenobia Dixon.

Denise graduated from Lincoln Senior High School in 1958. She received her Bachelor's Degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1979.

Denise was employed with St. Louis Public Schools for 30 years. She retired in 2013. She was active in her community and did mock trials. She also enjoyed going to the Casino.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Freddy Perkins; her three siblings, Jessie Jr., Esther and Wilbert.

Denise departed this life on September 27, 2024 . She leaves to cherish her loving memory, her children, Sheri Lowery of Lebanon, IL, Jina Tweed of Galena, Ohio, Miya (Tony) Gilmore of Granite City, IL, Shawn Lowery of Collinsville, IL; her brother, Howard (Dorothy) Johnson, 12 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great-grandchildren and a host of family and friends.