Marie Therese "Terry" Jenkins

Marie Therese (Terry) Leahy Jenkins passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family on October 20, 2024. Terry was born on April 24, 1928, in Houston, TX, to Michael Leo and Ruth Threlfall Leahy. She is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, James (Jim) Edward Jenkins, Sr., her parents and siblings, Michael Leo Leahy II, Mary Darrouzet, Robert Leahy, Rosemary Brunner, and Helen Nassour. She is survived by her children, Joan Jenkins, James E. Jenkins, Jr., Nancy Jenkins, and David Jenkins; grandchildren, Zachary Perez, Taylor Jenkins (wife Chantall), and James D. Jenkins; great-grandchildren, Austin and Avery Jenkins; and many nieces and nephews.

She was raised in Texas and Kansas. During WW II, while living in Austin, TX, at the age of 14, she sang for the USO for tens of thousands of soldiers. She was known as "Queen of Melody" at Camp Swift. After graduating from Mt. Carmel Academy in Wichita, KS, in 1945, her father was transferred to Dallas, TX. She continued to sing for the USO around Dallas, as well as at the largest amputee hospital in the U.S., in Temple, TX.

She entered SMU in the fall of 1945, pledged the Tri Delta sorority and appeared in the college show for her first year. Singing at the Interstate Theater Show paid her way to college. She was paid $50 for one song, singing it three times. Tuition was $150 per semester. Connie Baughman, head stylist for A. Harris & Company, put her on the SMU College Board for fall fashion and she did shows at the State Fair of Texas and eventually modelled at the Adolphus Hotel every week. Two soldiers from the 8th Service Command Band saw her in the SMU library and took her to the WFAA radio station to sing at a command performance show for Europe. After the show, a WFAA representative asked her what she was going to study. She said probably some part of radio and he hired her on the spot. She was very pleased to work for Martin Campbell and Karl Lambertz at WFAA. Her professional name was Terry Lea. She also worked for KLIF radio. She met and sang for legendary celebrity Bob Hope and regretted not having a camera with her.

For 11 years, she sang on the Early Birds program, a live radio show on WFAA, working with the finest musicians and accompanists. After retiring from the Early Birds, she worked for PAMS (www.pams.com), a recording company, singing jingles for radio stations and commercials. She sang hundreds of record-length "My Home Town" songs for towns all over the world. Many can be found on YouTube (search for "PAMS my hometown").

She and Jim married in 1950. They were founding members of St. Monica Catholic Church in Dallas. They were active in the Pro-Life and Frances and Charles Hunter Healing ministries. With Bishop Tschoepe's permission, they brought Fr. Edward McDonough from Boston for healing services in the Dallas area for 10 years. She was a member of the Doll Collectors Club of Irving and the Dallas Miniature Craftsman Guild for many years. She and Jim loved to travel around the U.S. and Europe.

A Rosary and Funeral Mass, followed by a reception will be held Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 10:30 am, at St. Monica Catholic Church at 9933 Midway Rd., Dallas, TX, 75220. The burial service will be at 2:00 pm at Calvary Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 3235 Lombardy Ln., Dallas, TX, 75220. In lieu flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Monica Catholic Church.