Marie "Ree Ree" Andrews McConnell-Perkins

While she was sleeping, her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, gently took Marie’s hand and led her home. Marie was a native Mobilian and has lived in Fairhope for the past 18 years. Marie was the president and owner of Marie McConnell Realty with offices in Mobile and Baldwin County, and it has been said that she broke the “glass ceiling” for women in real estate. In the ‘70s, Marie was known as the “Golden Girl of Real Estate.” She was named Realtor of the Year in 1983, First Lady of Mobile in 1990, and her company was Small Business of the Year in 1991 by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. She is a past president of the Penelope House and served on the board of directors for the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. Marie served as the state and local president of the Women’s Council of Realtors. Marie was selected to represent the ERA, Real Estate Franchise as Ambassador to Indonesia and Singapore in 1995. Marie was very active in her real estate career and involved with many civic activities—too many to list them all.

After Marie retired and moved to Fairhope, she worked as a volunteer at Thomas Hospital for 15 years. She was president of the Ladies Cotillion in Fairhope and a very active member of the Nix Center. Her bubbly personality was evidence that she never met a stranger. She always said her purpose in life was to make other people feel good about themselves. She lived her purpose. Always active in church, she loved people, and they loved her.

Marie was the only child of Emmanuel and Thelma Lyons Andrews. She was always so proud of her Greek heritage. She was preceded in death by her daughter Dana, her granddaughter Savannah, and her grandson David. She is survived by her loving husband of almost 30 years, Captain Michael Reid Perkins, USCG Retired; her daughter Angie McConnell Young (Robby); her daughter Robin Marie Wade (Mike); her step-daughter Mindy Houston (Greg); her step-daughter Melissa Peterson; her granddaughter Carly Marie Nelson (Kenny); her grandson Jack Andrew Phillips (Danielle); Grant McConnell Young (Courtney); her granddaughters Madison Houston and Jennifer Houston; her great-grandchildren, Kenly Marie Nelson; Marie Claire Phillips; and Mason McConnell Young.

A devoted Christian, a loving parent, a great cook and hostess, a dynamic public speaker, and treasured friend. Marie had a blessed life and was always grateful. Her children always said their mother could do anything and do it well. Next to real estate, she loved decorating, traveling, and sharing time with family and friends.

Marie was a graduate of Covenant of Mercy Catholic Girls School and impressed the Mercy Nuns with her goal setting and work ethic, especially Sister Mary Terisita and Sister Mary Robert.

Marie went on to earn real estate designations, including the CRB, a real estate designation earned by fewer than 3% of the real estate brokers at that time.

Always a Goal Setter, she believed she could, so she did! Her family will always be grateful to her husband, Mike Perkins, the love of her life and the best caregiver anyone could ever have. How blessed we are to have him in our lives.

A funeral service will be held at the 3 Circle Church in Fairhope on March 24, 2022, at 4:00 pm. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Marie will be laid to rest with a private family service at The Chapel of the Pines Mausoleum at Pine Crest Cemetery in Mobile.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to 3 Circle Church in Fairhope, Penelope House, or the American Cancer Society.