In Memory of Patricia Perkins, Co-Founder of Hatteras Hammocks
On November 17, 2015, In Industry News by Greg Thompson
GREENVILLE, NC - Mrs. Patricia “Patsy” Perkins passed away on Nov 4, 2015, after a courageous and enduring battle with cancer. She helped Walter Perkins, Jr. found and grow Hatteras Hammocks, which later became The Hammock Source.
After graduating from college, she married Mr. Perkins, Jr. and began a teaching career. When she was blessed with children, she left the teaching profession to raise her two sons. In 1970, her husband, an ardent tinkerer and entrepreneur, began selling hammocks he had developed as a side business to help provide for this family while he continued to work as a tobacco buyer.
From the company’s inception, Mrs. Perkins was an essential member of the success of The Hammock Source. She served as secretary/treasurer when the company incorporated in 1971, and was active on a daily basis for 18 years. She did anything needed to help the fledgling company, including shipping documents, payroll, bookkeeping duties, and hammock assembly.
She attended trade shows, including the Casual Market in Chicago. Back at the hammock shop, she was a skilled hammock assembler able to outpace and inspire the local college students hired to craft hammocks at the young company.
Mrs. Perkins enjoyed visiting the factory. She loved to see progress, was excited with technological strides, and was amazed to see how successful the company has become. She loved attending company functions such as birthday luncheons and holiday meals to keep up with the employees. It did not matter to her if they were a plant worker or manager, she had the ability to relate to all people and genuinely cared for them.
Mrs. Perkins loved to needlepoint. She made many beautiful pillows and other works. One of her needlepoint works hung framed in the hallway of the company right outside the office of her son, now CEO, Walter Perkins III. It was so appropriate for the hammock business. It read, “If you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” Incredible words of strength and inspiration from such a strong person.
