U.S. Grains Council (USGC) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) Receptionist Brenda “Beeps� Perkins died on April 9 in Washington, D.C., at the age of 61.

Perkins is survived by her husband of 23 years, Melvin Wright; daughter, Charlene; granddaughter; five sisters; and three nieces, as well as an array of personal friends and colleagues from feed grains organizations around the United States and the world.

A graduate of Eastern High School in Washington, D.C., Perkins worked in customer service and as a receptionist throughout her career. She joined the Council’s staff in 2006 and served in that role for the past 10 years, later for the co-located USGC/NCGA office.

Perkins was a welcoming presence at the Council and often an advisor and a source of daily fun. She was a witty individual who loved her bowling nights and was passionate about the Dallas Cowboys.

“Brenda was more than just a welcoming presence in our office, she was a friend and a confidant,� said Tom Sleight, USGC president and CEO. “Her warmth made both our staff and our visitors feel welcomed and special, which will be truly missed here.�

Farmers, USGC members and USGC staff and former staff from around the world offered tributes to Brenda online, describing her as a “ray of light� and sharing stories that illustrated her caring but firm hold on the comings and goings in the Washington, D.C. office.

The Council invites everyone who knew Brenda to share their remembrances of her at www.grains.org/brenda or on the Council’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/usgrainscouncil.

Services will be held on April 18 at the Fort Foote Baptist Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. The Council will forward cards or remembrances to the Perkins family that are sent to the USGC office.