“A Legacy of True Love, Compassion, Faith and Service”
Grace Mae Hall Jenkins was born on February 22, 1933, to the parents of Lottie Mae Hudson and Willie Garland in Benton, Louisiana. She and her siblings were raised by their mother and stepfather Morris Hall, with Grace being the baby of the family. Grace married Grady T. Jenkins and to this union, eight children were born. She is preceded in death by her mother, Lottie; father, Willie; step-father, Morris; husband, Grady; son, Vernon Bruce Jenkins; sisters: Fannie Mae Garland Mills, Ola Mae Garland Hart, Willa Mae Garland Muldrew, Willie T. Smith, Marie Garland Hall Robinson, Sally Garland Hall Manning, Dorothy Garland Hall Williams, Hattie Garland Hall and Gladys Garland Hall; brother: Willie Lee Garland Hall; grand children: LaWanda Blake, Akeerah Blake, Germaine Vinson, Terric Glover, Sharon LaKishia Blake; aunt: Julie Hudson Jones; uncle; Tom Hudson; and ALL of her first cousins.
Grace graduated from the Bossier Parish Training Center. After having eight children, she attended nursing school and became an LPN. Eight years later, she received her RN license and became a supervisor at LSU Medical Center in Shreveport where she worked in Pediatric and then the Renal Transplant Unit. In 1986, while working as Flex RN for LSU Medical Center, she transferred to Shreveport Mental Health Center until retiring in 1998. However, she couldn’t stop, so she decided to continue to work for LSU Medical Center (10 Psych) until finally retiring again on November 29, 2011. She stated, “I had 44 years of happy, enjoyable, loving days. I loved my job. I loved caring for and helping others, as I cared for and helped myself. I worked rain, sunshine, sleet and snow. (with transportation assistance during bad weather from Bossier and Caddo Police Departments).” After retiring from the hospital, she volunteered yearly assisting the American Red Cross with Flu and Pneumonia Vaccines working as a Disaster Nurse. She worked with the Mental Health Association Compeer Program (teaching
3rd graders in Bossier and Caddo Parish how to navigate difficult life transitions, promoting positive decision-making, and self-esteem). She worked as the nurse for the group home on Brownlee Road in Bossier City and on Palmetto Road in Benton. She was Secretary/Treasurer for Benton’s Metropolitan Planning Commission and worked at the Polling Station in Benton. She served as a prison ministry volunteer for Bossier Max and Caddo CCC from 1988 until her health failed. Also, as a retired RN, she went around Benton nursing and caring for others in the community.
Grace confessed Christ at an early age at Macedonia B. C. where she was a Choir Member and Sunday School Teacher. In 1994, she became a founding member of Abundant Life Christian Church. There, she maintained her membership and and attended every church service while continuing support Macedonia as a Sunday School teacher and occasionally attending Greenwood Acres FGBC. She was an inspiration to many. Some followed in her footsteps and became Nurses. Those who encountered her, loved her energy, her expressions of love, her genuine kindness, her compassion, her words of encouragement, her heart of giving, her sense of humor, and yes– the way she kicked her leg up.
She had an amazing love for her siblings. When their health failed, she was there. As an RN, she believed it was her place to step in and see that they had the best care and she did it joyfully. Her favorite words to her grands, great-grands, great great-grands and all other children were: “I like your eyes, I like your nose, I like your mouth, I like your hair, I like your smile, and I LOVEEEE YOU!”. She believed that words are powerful, that you can speak life into the kids. They loved it and they believed it and they loved her.
Mother Grace leaves to cherish her memory… seven children : Daphne Jenkins Coleman, Helen Jenkins McConnell, Wanda Jenkins Hunter, Gregory Lamar Jenkins (Wardena), Marilyn Jenkins Anderson, Winnifred Jenkins Robinson (Keith), and KaSandra Jenkins Frederick: 33 grandchildren; and host of great- grands, and great great-grands; One Step-Son, Wiley Hudson {Cindy); One Step Daughter, Edwina Carr; Two Special Children, Taulese Freeman and Kelli Mims.
Celebrating her loving memories are also her nieces, nephews, cousins, dear friends, and associates. Mother Grace’s life is a testament to Our Heavenly Father’s faithfulness, goodness, and divine promise of eternal peace and of an expected end to all who believe.