John Emmett Perkins was born in 1884 in Hamilton County, Texas, the son of Lemuel Enoch and Julia Ann (Neighbours) Perkins. He married Nettie Ilena Pannel in 1905 in Taylor County Texas. He died in 1928 and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel, Texas.

Nettie Ilena Pannell was born in Marion County, Arkansas in 1884, the daughter of A. S. and Elizabeth Louise (Tabor) Pannell. She died in 1979 and is buried in Rose Hill Cemetery in Merkel, Texas.

Their children were Adrian (1906-1906), Collin (1907-1989), Floyd (1908-1992), Borden (1910-1970), Rowena (1913-1997), Jack (1913-1989), John (b. 1921) and Lena (b. 1923).