Claudette Jenkins

Claudette McCarther Jenkins was born on August 28, 1943, in Mount Airy (Surry County), North Carolina, to the union of the late Ezra Millard McCarther and Sadie Omelia McCarther. On April 28, 2017, she departed this life peacefully while tending to her garden at home. Raised in Mount Airy, Claudette was an outgoing young lady with a lot of spunk. She was involved in her community and was a diligent student. A fond memory from her younger sister Bernette was Claudette's fearlessness climbing the cherry tree to bring down cherries to share with all. After completing JJ Jones High School, she went on to attend Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina. Upon graduation, she followed her oldest sister Ina (Elnora) to New York for work and enrolled in Fordham University where she obtained her Masters of Social Work. Claudette had a huge heart and dedicated her life to serving others. She established a career in social work. Some of her employers were NYC Department of Social Services and The New York Foundling Hospital, where she served many years and was responsible for the development and implementation of the Young Mother's Support Program. She also worked with Abyssinian Development Corporation as a Director with the Senior Services team supporting senior citizens residing in the Harlem community where she eventually retired. Over the past decade, Claudette divided her time between Harlem, New York, and Mount Airy, North Carolina. She was an ever-present figure involved in the upbringing of her grandchildren. As recently as 2015, she returned to Mount Airy and made it her permanent home. North Carolina remained forever in her heart. She leaves to cherish her love and memories, her only child, son Garrett Edwin Jenkins (Cynthia), Pelham, New York; granddaughter, Morgan Rahni Jenkins, Pelham, NY; grandson, Garrett E. D. Jenkins, Jr., Pelham, NY; sisters Ina (Elnora) McCarther, Greensboro, NC, Avis McCarther, Bernette McCarther, both of Mount Airy, NC; brothers Clifton McCarther (Eunice), Dayton, Ohio, Argene McCarther (Irene), Hephzibah, Georgia, Darius McCarther, Mount Airy, NC. Her brother Thurman McCarther preceded her in death. Claudette was also loved and endeared by several nieces, nephews, relatives and friends throughout the country. Memorial service will be conducted on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. May 6, 2017, at Edward J. Spencer and Pattie J. Spencer Memorial Chapel, 824 North Main St., Mount Airy, NC. Family will receive friends from 11 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. prior to the service. Spencer Funeral Directors are in charge of all services and arrangements.