Willie Mae Jenkins

On July 7, 1939 Palmer Lee Lakes Sr. and Esther Lena Pryor Lakes birthed a beautiful daughter into the world and named her Willie Mae. She was the second oldest daughter of nine siblings. Willie Mae accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior at an early age.

She attended Ralph J. Bunch High School where she graduated Valedictorian of her Class in 1960.

She was a loving, dedicated, and generous wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend. She served as a faithful member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. She authored and self- published several books about her life and mental health struggles.

She graduated from Franklin Beauty School in Houston, Texas and served as a licensed cosmetologist for many years. She retired from Enron Oil and Gas in 2005. Shortly after, she began working as the Librarian for Royal Elementary School (Royal ISD).

On Monday, October 2, 2023, God called Willie Mae to her “heavenly home” for eternal rest. She is survived by her children, Brenda Marie Lakes, Joshua Joe Calip Jr. (Bridget), Jerry Calip, and Mark Calip Sr. (Ruby); Grandchildren, Rochelle Lakes, Sabrina Robinson, Mark Calip Jr., Chazman Calip, Candice Calip, Jackie Falls, Chaya Calip, Patrick Venson, Brandon Calip, Joshua Farley, Cassidy Galloway, Joe Armstrong, Joseph Nelson; Great Grandchildren, Skylar Calip, Aniyah Craig, Jermichael Johnson, Imari Adams, Josiah Evans, Serenity Adams, Zerah Lakes, Parker Venson, Prestynn Venson, Eric Venson, Jeremiah Venson; Great-Great Grandchild, Karyi Craig; brothers, Joseph Wayne and Kenneth Ray; sisters, Henry Mae, Lestine, Sandra, and Beverly Faye, and a host of nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, William Hoover Jenkins; parents, Palmer Lakes Sr. and Ester Pryor Lakes; Great-Grandchild, Allen Kennedy and three brothers, Palmer Jr, Thomas Edwards and Leslie.