HAZEL E. JENKINS, 92, passed away on Saturday, August 18, 2018, at the home of her daughter in Millington, TN. She was born in Newbern, TN, on October 28, 1925, to John and Ruby Easterling. Preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, James A. “Jimmy” Jenkins, and her daughter, Barbara Taylor, she is survived by daughter, Sherry Richardson of Millington, Tennessee, one son, Steve Jenkins (Ann) of Potomac Falls, Virginia, and one brother, Tom Easterling (Marcela) of Bogota, Colombia. She leaves five grandchildren; Tracie Taylor(Jeff) and Billy Jo “Chip” Taylor (Christina) of Memphis, Mark Jenkins (Jennifer), Scott Jenkins (Laura), and Kevin Jenkins (Michel) of Potomac Falls, Virginia. Also left to cherish her memory are, twelve great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.
Mrs. Jenkins graduated from Saltillo High School, Saltillo, MS, and obtained a Business Degree from Draughan’s Business College in Jackson, MS. She and her family moved to Memphis in 1946 where she held various clerical positions including long-term employment at Choctaw Pipe and Culvert Company before joining the Discharge Planning Department of Baptist Memorial Hospital. After retiring in 1994, she devoted her time and energy to caring for her older daughter who was in a hard-fought battle with cancer and her husband who suffered several major strokes before his death.
Devout in her Christian faith, she was an active member of New Church Memphis, (formerly Leaclair Baptist Church) where she taught Sunday School for well over 50 years, was the director of the Children’s Church ministry, began the children’s library, served on countless committees and sang in the choir until prevented from activity by her failing health.
She was a tireless and self-sacrificial caregiver, a loyal friend and an extraordinary example of Christian love and compassion who will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her.
Gathering of family and friends for viewing and a coffee/desert reception will begin at 12:30 pm on Wednesday, August 22nd, at Memphis Funeral Home on Poplar Avenue, followed by the Celebration of Life service which will begin at 1:30 pm in the Chapel. Interment at Memphis Memory Gardens in the Masonic Garden.
