Annie Ruth Jenkins' Obituary
Annie Ruth Jenkins, age 93, passed away on February 9, 2025, at home surrounded by family.
Born September 28, 1931, in Bay Village, Arkansas to Raymond and Eva Woods, Annie spent her childhood (with her three sisters) on the farm and attended Vanndale High School, graduating in 1949. She then ventured to the big city of Memphis, Tennessee where she was happily employed by Sears Roebuck & Company. Through work, Annie met her future husband, Thomas Jenkins (a handsome Army Air Corp veteran and postal employee), whom she married in 1952. Annie continued to work until 1962, when they welcomed son, Thomas Philip. She eventually returned to Sears, then made a career change in 1973 with a position at the IRS, where she made lifelong friendships over her 20-year tenure, retiring in 1993. In her spiritual life, Annie was a vital part of Central Church, where she loved her Sunday School Class, volunteered in a variety of roles and traveled (with her active Senior Group) to many exciting locations. Her interest in sports (especially basketball) began in high school and remained until the last week of her life as she watched the Tigers and Grizzlies.
Annie’s family, friends, and neighbors would all agree that Annie’s ever-present positive attitude and grateful nature are what made he so beloved.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Thomas, and her sisters, Betty Taylor and Edith Smart.
She is survived by her sister Charlene Williams, her son, Philip Jenkins and daughter-in-law, Janet, along with many nieces and nephews and friends, all of whom will dearly miss her. We also wish to acknowledge all of her caregivers at Culpepper Place, Spring Valley Hospice, and Adell and Ora Conard who lovingly provided exceptional care and companionship.
The family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, February 15 at 1:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. all in the Fireside Chapel of Memorial Park Funeral Home. The reception will follow at 3:30 p.m. at Pete & Sam's, 3886 Park Ave, Memphis, TN, 38111.
To view the service online, please click on the link below.
https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/109662/hash:9127305CE786C8B1
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital www.stjude.org.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.memorialparkfuneralandcemetery.com
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