Donya Shalyne Perkins

November 1, 1968 – December 12, 2010

Donya Shalyne Perkins, daughter of Donna Littrell, died on Dec. 12, 2010, in Beaumont, Texas, at the residence she shared with her mother.  The cause of death has not yet been determined but Donya had been ill for several years and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. 

Donya attended South Park High School prior to its closure and graduated from Nederland High School. She was one of the many Greenies who protested the school’s senseless demolition earlier this year and although she loved her green and white, her favorite color was purple – something she shared with her brother and her niece.

Donya most recently worked for The Examiner as a part-time receptionist in the office and in the circulation department of the busy newspaper published in Beaumont.  Her mother, Donna Littrell, is the circulation director at The Examiner and her brother, Jerry Jordan, is the managing editor.

Donna said that one of her daughter’s passions in life was her love of NASCAR Racing and that she could be found at any time the cars were running sitting in front of the television enjoying every moment of the action. She went to the first-ever NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway and, in 2002, she received VIP pit credentials to see the cars and drivers up-close. She even participated in the Kyle Petty Track Walk around the 1.5-mile oval and shook hands with “The King” Richard Petty. Her attendance at the track continued until she could no longer endure the physical requirements of going the races in person. Her favorite NASCAR drivers were Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart. It was her love of NASCAR that caused her brother to become interested in the sport and go on to cover it for the newspaper, on the Web and on the radio.

Donya also loved the Indy Racing league and she cheered on her favorite IRL driver Helio Castroneves. But her fandom wasn’t limited to auto racing as she also had a love for the Mountain Dew Tour, an action sports tour that couples BMX and skateboarding.

Donya is survived by her mother, Donna Littrell, of Beaumont, her brother Jerry Jordan and his wife, Rita Edwards, of Lumberton, her niece Justine Jordan of Beaumont, grandmother, Eloise Pevoto of Beaumont, and step-fathers, Jerry Don Jordan Sr. of Baytown and Budha Littrell of Vidor.