GERALDINE JENKINS

JENKINS Please Sign the Guestbook @ Jacksonville.com Geraldine (Gerry) B. Jenkins, 92, passed away peacefully in the arms of her daughter on Friday, May 27th. She was the youngest of 7 siblings born to Warren Oliver and Ida Spooner Butler, on December 22, 1918 in the small farming town of Donalsonville, GA. She attended Georgia State Womens College in Valdosta. Mrs. Jenkins ancestors were Puritans who fled England and arrived in Leiden, Holland before sailing to America and settling in Plymouth and Dartmouth, Mass. While in Holland they married into the De La Noye family who Anglicized their name to Delano. She was a cousin of Franklin Delano Roosevelt through his mother Sarah Delano. Her ancestors fought in the American Revolution and were given land grants in Savannah for their service. Gerry was a member of the Greatest Generation and worked in the paymaster office processing paychecks for the Army troops in Ft. Benning, GA. She fondly remembered the troops training to fight overseas and was given the chance to jump from the parachute tower much to the delight and hoop and hollering of the paratroopers. She met and married her husband Frank A. Jenkins who was stationed at Ft. Benning and they were married on August 4, 1940. Gerrys first born son was due December 7, 1941. Gerry would often speak of seeing John Eisenhower and General George Patton along with FDR. Two of her grandsons would later train in Ft. Benning and served in the Army during Desert Storm and later in the Afghanistan and Iraq War. Gerry was a very active member of her community in Jacksonville. As president of the WAABIs she raised money and purchased property for the Pine Castle School. She was twice President of the Southside Womens Club where she also served in several capacities for the Florida Federation of Womens Club and was District Director of District 4, Chairman of the State Legislative Committee and Chairman of the Home Life Dept, and headed the convention for the Florida Federations of Womens Club, bringing thousands of women across the state to downtown Jacksonville. In addition she was on the Board of the Leukemia Foundation and was a Charter member of the Mayors Commission of the Status of Women, appointed by former Mayor Hans Tansler. Mrs. Jenkins retired from the Duval County School Board, having proudly served 23 years on the faculty and staff of Englewood High School. Mama was a huge Gator fan and enjoyed going to the Gator games until she could no longer walk. She loved fishing, gardening and flowers. She was predeceased by Mr. Jenkins after 32 years of marriage. Gerry is survived by her 3 children: Dr. G. Franklin Jenkins (Pam) and children Major Adam Jenkins USMC, Stephen Jenkins, Esq., Paul Jenkins serving in Afghanistan and their mother Barbara Gibbs, Connor Jenkins and Catherine Jenkins; her daughter and caregiver Janet J. Linke (Del Dosio) son Chris Linke (Lorena); her youngest son Marshall Jenkins (Suzanne) their children Shyla, Bryan and Sarah; 9 great grandchildren; nephews: Dr. Stephen Butler, Capt. Rudy Butler (USARMY disabled proud Vietnam Vet) Dr. Frank Butler, Warren Butler, Lt General Irving Reed, USAF retired. Geraldine Jenkins was a wonderful mother full of fun and spirit. Her passing is heartbreaking but she is at peace and all is well. For it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal Life. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, June 8, at 10:00am at Eternity Funeral Home and Crematory, 4856 Oakdale Avenue, Jacksonville, Fl 32207. (904-348-5579). Services will be conducted by Del P. Dosio III of West Jacksonville Baptist Church. There will be no viewing as she wished to be cremated. Mother loved flowers and would appreciate them. Donations may be made to Haven Hospice and we are most grateful to Consulate Healthcare and their wonderful staff. Interment will be at Oaklawn Cemetery.