Ruth B. Jenkins

Lillian Ruth Byers Jenkins of Raleigh, 91, died Thursday, August 5, after a brief illness. She was a resident of the Whitaker Glen retirement community, and for more than 50 years prior to that, lived with her family at 2319 Lake Drive in Raleigh.
A native of Rutherford County and Shelby, Mrs. Jenkins was the widow of James L. "Jay" Jenkins Jr., who died in 2003. She had one son, Jim Jenkins of Raleigh, who survives her.
She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. B.B. Byers of Shelby, and the last surviving of their five children. Her brothers and sister were Henry Byers, Pauline Byers Deviney, James Byers and Tom Byers. Two of her brothers, Tom and Henry, died in training missions during World War II.
Those are the basic facts of her life.
It was a rich life, reflected by her interests in literature, art, poetry, theater and music. In her 70s and 80s, Ruth Jenkins took courses at Duke University, N.C. State University and Meredith College. During the Great Depression, she had attended what was then called Women's College in Greensboro, now the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. There, her lifelong interest in learning was nurtured.
She was a writer at heart, and many of her friends saved her lengthy letters, marked by colorful stories and reflecting her flawless command of the English language. At Whitaker Glen, where her outgoing personality helped her make many friends, she often contributed biographies of new residents for the community newsletter.
Mrs. Jenkins was a member of Raleigh's liberal Pullen Memorial Baptist Church for over 60 years. In that time, she joined demonstrations advocating the causes of civil rights, women's equality and an end to the war in Vietnam.
Ruth Jenkins had a large extended family that included not only those to whom she was related by blood, but many others she regarded as such.
For example, her later life brought her some joyous surprises, including an honorary great-grandson, Ayden Brienzi of Cary, 3 years old, who adored his "G.G." There was her great-great nephew, Siegfried Byers of Durham, 13 months old, who loved for her to rock him to sleep. The presence of these two happy boys enhanced her last years tremendously.
Her life was also immeasurably enriched by the presence of those who must be counted among her immediate family. They include Dr. Jayne Keifer of Cary and her children, Daniel and Elise Goodman, Carolyn Ragland of Raleigh, Mary Prather, also of Raleigh, Samuel Byers and Pamela Della Valle of Durham, Kate Vosecky of Chapel Hill, David Byers of Asheville and Betty Grady of Raleigh. She had a large number of nieces and nephews in the Byers and Jenkins families with whom she enjoyed many happy times.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, August 8, from 3-5 p.m. at the Brown- Wynne Funeral Home on St. Mary's Street in Raleigh. Those who wish to honor Mrs. Jenkins may do so by making a contribution to the Salvation Army, Pullen Memorial Baptist Church or a charity of their choice.