Lillie Jenkins

Lillie Bell Jenkins was born Lillie Bell Ingram on October 27, 1925, in Boley, Oklahoma. She was the third child born to the union of William Ingram and Gracie Gayles. Lillie grew up in Boley, Oklahoma, a famous all-black town in eastern Oklahoma noted for the black enterprises that existed in the community during the early part of the twentieth century.
Lillie graduated from Boley High School in 1944, one of the 14 graduating seniors. Upon graduation, she went to Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma. She was enrolled in an extension training program for the job of aircraft mechanics maintenance specializing in aircraft sheet metal. Today we call such people "Rosie the Riveter," because such people like Lillie, built the aircraft that helped the United States achieve victory in World War II.
After completing her course work - "her basic training" - at Langston University on October 20, 1944, Lillie began working on aircraft at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma. On April 28, 1945, Lillie B. Ingram received an "Award of Emblem for Civilian Service" in recognition of her "contribution to the successful prosecution of the war effort through faithful, and satisfactory service over a period of more than six months with the War Department ..."
While working at Tinker, Lillie met a rather brash young man named Everett Jenkins. Lillie and Everett did not get along at first, but on a dare, Lillie invited Everett to a Valentine's Day Party. In 1945 Everett proposed to Lillie while at the train station, before being shipped overseas for service in occupied Germany. Everett asked Lillie to wait for him, and she did. Lillie and Everett were married for 55 years, from this union there would be five children.
In 1957, Everett and Lillie were transferred to George Air Force Base, near Victorville, California. Lillie liked the area, so they bought a house, the "pink house," and have lived there ever since. Upon settling in Victorville in 1957, Lillie joined the First Missionary Baptist Church, and was a member for the remainder of her life. Primarily a homemaker, in 1966, Lillie again joined the civil service. She worked at George Air Force Base Dining Hall as a dining room attendant from 1966 to 1975.
Lillie passed away on December 1, 2010, at Victor Valley Hospital surrounded by her family. Her husband, Everett Jenkins; her parents, William Ingram and Gracie Gayles; her sisters, Ruby Wisner and Euradell Hickman; and her brothers, Colbert Ingram and Marvin Hunter, preceded her in death. Lillie leaves to mourn her passing five children: Gwendolyn Manning of Los Angeles, California; Everett Jenkins, Jr. (Skip) of Fairfield, California; Evelyn Manning of Los Angeles, California; Garry Jenkins of Livermore, California; and Kevin Jenkins of Victorville, California. She also leaves behind 12 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Luther Jenkins, Jr. of Anaheim; numerous nieces and nephews; and a host of relatives and friends.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, December 9, 2010 at the Desert View Funeral Home, 11478 Amargosa Road in Victorville, California 92392. The "Celebration of Life" services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, December 10, 2010 at the Desert View Funeral Home, 11478 Amargosa Road in Victorville, California 92392. Interment will be held at 3 p.m. at Desert View Memorial Park, 11478 Amargosa Road in Victorville, California 92392. Repasse will be served following graveside service at the First Missionary Baptist Church, 15740 First Street, Victorville, California 92393.