Mildred Jenkins, 98, formerly of Tripoli, Iowa, died on Wednesday, July 15, 2015, at Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community in Waverly, Iowa.
Mildred was born on February 7, 1917, in Utica, Mississippi, daughter of William and Etta Mae Newsome. Following graduation from Utica High School, she attended nursing school in Jackson, Miss. She married Rev. Oscar C. Jenkins on Nov. 24, 1938, in Utica. She was a devoted wife and mother. Mildred worked side by side in the many churches Oscar served as a Sunday School teacher, choir member, and pianist. She also continued nursing in hospitals and nursing homes during the 40 years of her husband’s ministry. Following retirement in 1977 the couple moved to Tripoli.
Mildred was a member of Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli where she was a member of the choir and quilting group until she moved to Bartels Lutheran Home in 2008. She loved sewing, crocheting, knitting, and quilting. She was also an avid reader.
Survivors include two children and their spouses, Phoebe and David Drape of Waverly, Iowa; Dr. Phillip and Rev. Beverly Jenkins, of Centerville, Ohio; four grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren, Brian (Cassie) Gorman and Kiera of Jesup, Iowa; Michael Jenkins and Gabriel, Jaylen, and Olivia of Catonsville, Maryland; Dan (Jessie) Gorman and Caitlyn, Emily and Levi of Wyoming, Iowa; and Erica (Dan) Kwast and Isaac, Noah, Benjamin and Josiah of Bellbrook, Ohio. She was preceded in death by her husband in 2004 and by five sisters and one brother.
Funeral services will be held at Faith United Church of Christ in Tripoli on Tuesday, July 21, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. with Rev. Marilyn Sargent officiating. Burial will follow at Fremont Cemetery, Tripoli. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 20th at Rettig Funeral Home in Tripoli and for one hour preceding services at the church on Tuesday.
Memorials may be directed to Faith United Church of Christ, Bartels Lutheran Retirement Community, Cedar Valley Hospice, Waverly Public Library, or Tripoli Public Library.
