Glenda Ann Brown Perkins, a 64-year-old Caucasian woman, tragically lost her life on May 18, 2018, as a victim of the Santa Fe High School shooting in Santa Fe, Texas. She was born on November 11, 1953, in Galveston, Texas, and was the only child of Raymond Earl Brown and Lena Mae Lanigan. Perkins graduated from Ball High School in Galveston and attended the University of Houston.
She married Stephen Douglas "Steve" Perkins in 1989, and they made their home in Santa Fe, Texas.
Perkins was a permanent substitute teacher at Santa Fe High School and was deeply involved in the community. She was known for her dedication to her students and her active participation in various local organizations, including the Grace Episcopal Church and the Red Hat Society. On the day of the shooting, Perkins was killed while trying to help students to safety during the rampage. Her heroic actions were credited with saving lives, as she faced the gunman to protect her students.
The shooter, a 17-year-old student named Dimitrios Pagourtzis, was charged with capital murder and other charges related to the massacre. The incident resulted in the deaths of 10 people, including Perkins, and injured 13 others. The community mourned the loss of Perkins and other victims, and her funeral was held on May 30, 2018, in Galveston, Texas.
The aftermath of the shooting saw numerous legal proceedings and investigations. Pagourtzis was found guilty on multiple counts and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The case also led to discussions about school safety and gun control measures in Texas and across the United States. Perkins' family and friends continue to honor her memory and advocate for changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Perkins is survived by her husband, Steve Perkins, her two daughters, Kimberly Ann Hattendorf and Ashley Ann Perkins, her son, Ballinger Jonathan "BJ" Broeker, and her two grandchildren. Her legacy lives on through the impact she had on her students and the community.
