PATRICIA (PATSY) PERKINS, who helped Walter Perkins Jr. start and grow Hatteras Hammocks (which later became The Hammock Source), died on November 4, after a courageous battle with cancer. She attended Meredith College and graduated from East Carolina University. After graduating, she began a teaching career, which she left to bring up her two sons.

In 1970, her husband, an ardent tinkerer and entrepreneur, began selling hammocks that he had developed, as a side business, to help provide for his family while he continued to work as a tobacco buyer. From the company’s inception, Patricia Perkins was essential to the success of The Hammock Source. She served as secretary/ treasurer when the company incorporated, in 1971, and was active in it daily for 18 years.

She did anything needed to help the fledgling company, including shipping documents, handling payroll, bookkeeping, and hammock assembly. She attended trade shows (including Casual Market Chicago). 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.

She enjoyed visiting the factory. She loved to see progress, was excited by technological strides, and was amazed to see how successful the company had become. She loved attending company functions, such as birthday luncheons and holiday meals, to connect with employees. She had the ability to relate to all people, whether plant workers or managers, and genuinely cared for them.

She loved needlepoint, making many beautiful pillows and other pieces. One is displayed outside the office of her son (now CEO), Walter Perkins III. It reads, “If you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on”—words of incredible inspiration from such a strong person.

She is survived by her husband of 57 years; her sons, Walter Reid Perkins III (and his wife, Beth) and Julian Perkins (and his wife, Crystal); her grandchildren, Walter (Reid) Perkins IV, James Edward Perkins, Hudson Bradshaw Perkins, Marlie Grace Perkins, and Grayson Lee Perkins, all of Greenville, North Carolina; her brother, Edward (Bud) Bradshaw (and his wife, Betty Ruth) of Kinston, North Carolina; her sister, Ruby West Fentress (and her husband, Lee) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; and many nieces and nephews.