Zola O. Jenkins

Zola was born June 2, 1936, in Attala County, a daughter of the late Shun Robert Owen and Katie Lee McGee Owen. Growing up during the Great Depression Zola learned early on the dignity of work and value of a loving family. These traits of conservative responsibility and frugality, instilled in her as a child, served her well as a wife and mother raising her family.

Her late husband, Robert H. Jenkins, served with the U.S. Army 25th division of the 27th regiment of the Wolfhound Pack. While he served his time in the Korean War Zola learned all she could about the area, people, and dilemmas her husband was experiencing. This in-depth knowledge of the Korean War and her years as a military wife greatly influenced Zola throughout her lifetime.

A loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Zola doted on her family, and her favorite times were spent with them. Fridays with her granddaughter were special as they hit the beauty shop, grocery store and then a ham sandwich at Wards. When her daughter endured a major medical crisis Zola never left her, attending her bedside for three weeks. As her husband’s health declined with dementia she was his constant caregiver. Following his passing it was important to her that she convey his love for their children, as she lovingly held her son’s hand and spoke of his father’s great love.

Zola and Robert were charter members of the Crossroads Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school. They also donated the baptistery and several pews. Through the church Zola began working with the Christian political action committees of the Moral Majority.

In her free time Zola enjoyed visiting with friends and was known as quite the chatterbox. She had a great appreciation for nature and spent many hours tending her yard and sitting quietly under the big oak.

In addition to her parents and husband Zola was preceded in death by her siblings, Sudie Owen Hutto, Mildred Owen Marsh, and J.W. “Pete” Owen; and her grandson, Joshua Douglas Rouse.

She is survived by daughter, Cathy Rouse and husband Phillip Barrious; son, Robbie Jenkins; granddaughter, Shion Jones and husband Matthew Jones; and great-grandson, Joshua “J.J.” Rouse McCullogh.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00am, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at Floral Hills Memory Gardens.