Gloria "Baby Jean" Jenkins

Jean attended the Manchester Township Public Elementary Schools and Lakewood High School. In 1977, she met and created an irreplaceable bond with the late Charlie Davis Simpson. Together, the Lord blessed them to make a home in both Manchester and Lakewood, NJ. She had been employed at Six Flags Great Adventure Jackson, NJ, Summit Nursing Home, Lakewood, NJ but her most rewarding position was at Manchester Manor Rehabilitation Center in Manchester, NJ where she worked as a top-notch caring and compassionate Certified Nursing Assistant for more than 30 years and a trusted and respected union representative.

There was nothing more important to Jean than family. She always opened her heart and home to family and friends in need without judgment nor with an open hand. A mother of six, a household of eight, one bath and three rooms yet she still made room so that whomever it was, felt right at home. She was the ladder, strong and upright always supporting those around her so they could climb higher in life. She could stretch a meal a mile and continually, lovingly labored from her heart to her hands to provide and she did it with grace and humility. She was an original Proverbs 31 woman: “A wife of noble character, worth far more than rubies. She brought good, not harm, to all who knew her all the days of her life. She got up while it was still night to provide for her family. She set about her work vigorously; her arms strong for her tasks. When it snowed, she had no fear for her household, for all of them were clothed. She was clothed with strength and dignity; she could laugh at the days to come. She watched over the affairs of her household and did not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praised her: Many women do noble things, but she surpassed them all. She feared the Lord and is to be praised.”

In addition to family, Jean enjoyed bingo, trips to Atlantic City or visiting relatives and she loved her music. After working overnight shifts, she would come home, open the curtains to let the light in and dance and sing along while cooking and cleaning to the sounds of greats from Al Green to Shirley Caesar. Her voice was beautiful, her laugh infectious and her smile truly could turn a storm into a rainbow, and dinner was never late. Family was the center of her life and it showed in her works daily. She was the Sun and her children and grandchildren kept orbit around her. Her home was our grounding point the place that we would all come to be at peace. Her life provided sunshine to us all. Sweet potato Pie is all we needed to hear and we would travel miles to be there. Love and laughter kept us there.

She was predeceased by her lifetime Companion of 40+ Years, Charlie Simpson, parents Mary Elizabeth and William Henry Jenkins, brother Robert Earl Jenkins and daughter Tanisha Jenkins Turner.

She leaves to cherish her memory her legacy; her children. Devoted children Robert (Kelly) of Manchester, NJ and Curtis (Kashauna) of San Antonio, Texas, Icleda of Brick, NJ, MaryAnn and Jenaya of Manchester, NJ, seventeen treasured grandchildren Twella, Jamie, Utisha, Curtis Jr., Deshalyn, Xzenaisya, Xavier, Nakim, Halle, Mark, Marcus, Khari, Dyamond, Zykeem, Sanaiya, Patience, Julianna and great-grandson, Daxzen. Loving brothers William Jr. (Carrie) of Lakewood, NJ, Michael of Houston, Texas and Charles of Jersey City, NJ. Baby sister and best friend Barbara Ann of Lakewood, NJ, caring sister Roxanne and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.