Debra Gayle Jenkins

DEBRA GAYLE JENKINS May 2, 1953 - January 7, 2004 Debra Jenkins, a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother-to-be, died January 7, 2004 after a long battle with cancer. Debra was born in Ft. Campbell, Kentucky to Donald and Billie Prewitt Howard, and she was the oldest of four children. She grew up in southeast Texas and graduated from Galena Park High School where she met and married her high school sweetheart, William Jenkins. They were married for 33 loving years and have one daughter, Candice. Debra's energy for life and her loving spirit won her many friends from different facets of her life. In addition to her family life, she found the time and energy to be a good neighbor, coworker, teammate and friend. Her large circle of friends confirms their high regard and caring for her and her family. Debra was involved in many activities, loved traveling and was an avid antique shopper, gardener and sports fan. She was a proud member of the Deer Park Petal Pushers Garden Club and spent endless hours designing and creating a thriving garden with her husband Bill, and was always generous in providing advice and support for less gifted gardeners, as well as sharing the bounty from her own garden. Debra was vibrant and filled with boundless energy in which she put to great use in playing on local soccer and softball teams for many seasons before retiring to support her teams from the sidelines. She championed others in their activities as well, notably chasing around numerous marathon and running events in support of her husband Bill and many friends. For over 20 years, Debra worked for Greif Brothers Corporation and traveled extensively in her position as Global Strategic Account Manager. Her commitment to her work earned her many loyal clients, co- workers and friends. Debra is survived by her loving family including husband Bill Jenkins, daughter Candice Jenkins Jonischkies and her husband, Walt Jonischkies, brother Donald Howard, Jr. and his wife Pam, sisters Mary Durant and Cynthia Walton, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins and their families. Debra was dearly loved and will be greatly missed by family and friends. The family would like to invite friends for a visitation from 5 p.m. until 9 p.m. Friday, January 9, 2004 at Grand View Funeral Home. A Memorial Service will be held at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2004 in the Chapel at Grand View with Mr. Donnie Carnathan officiating. Friends are invited to join the family for remembrance at the family residence following the Memorial Service. Memorial contributions may be made in Debra's honor to the American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 102454, Atlanta, GA 30368-2454, or by calling 1-800-ACS-2345, or online at www.cancer.org.