Lily Jenkins

Lily Jenkins was welcomed by Jesus into Heaven on January 24, 2023, just three weeks shy of her 103rd birthday. She was born on February 17, 1920 in Birmingham, Alabama to parents Walter Hudson and Delia McClenon Hudson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Jack Jenkins, Sr.; her brothers, Charlie Hudson and Herbert Hudson; her sisters, Minnie Kologinczak and Betty June Fields.

Lily’s early adult years began with an intent mission. A mission to marry the man she had fallen in love with and achieve a level of success that would far outweigh her father’s words to her that if she married Jack Jenkins, she would never have two nickels to rub together. The year was 1941 and these words were just the right amount of fuel added to Lily’s fire that gave her the courage to run away from her family’s farm and marry her sweetheart (the one she affectionately called her “Old Goat” as the years went on). They borrowed the $8.00 they needed to obtain a marriage license, said their vows beneath an old oak tree beside a dirt road, and began building their future together.

Lily lived every single day with intent and purpose. She intentionally spent countless hours caring for those she loved. From biscuits on the table each morning to gathering the eggs, milking the cow, feeding the horses, cleaning the stalls, tending the garden, making supper each night followed by cleaning the dishes, washing the laundry and preparing for what tomorrow would hold. Her days were spent selflessly serving others. Still remembering the words of her father and the mission that she set out on, she was determined to use every resource she had available to make money. She was a trailblazer and entrepreneur long before those words were commonly used in our society. She partnered with local builders and cleaned the windows of new homes in local developments being built around her. She took in other kids to watch as she was raising her three boys. She rented out stalls in the barn and tended to the horses that were boarded there. Her hard work and perseverance, along with her economical way of living, meant her mission was successful. Lily, along with the love of her life, created a life for themselves that did, in fact, prove her father wrong. Her selflessness, hard work and perseverance were the true nature of a Proverbs 31 woman and she exhibited these qualities every single day.

Lily & Jack had the finest horses money could buy, Tennessee Walking Horses. Every year they would take their Tennessee Walkers on the Old Spanish Trail Ride, a 216 mile, week-long journey from Logansport, Louisiana to Downtown Houston to kick-off the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This was the only week out of the year that Lily would “let her hair down” and instead of the traditional bun that she wore, her long hair was woven into two long, beautiful braids that fit perfectly under her cowgirl hat.

When Lily lost her husband in 1992, a part of her heart went to Heaven with him but she never lost her purpose. She remained a steadfast caretaker to everyone around her. She began a new routine of walking each morning and evening. She learned to quilt and used shirts that she had saved from when her sons were little boys to create beautiful quilts and she gifted these masterpieces to each of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She often listened to cassettes that she made when Jack would play his guitar and sing her favorite hymns and songs. She loved time with her family and the highlight of her days was seeing her children and grandchildren each time they would stop in for a visit.

At 102 years old, her life had been impacted by many factors including The Great Depression, World War 2, The Korean War, Vietnam War and The Cuban Missile Crisis. Women were granted the right to vote, telephones made their way into homes, automobiles went into mass production and 19 U.S. Presidents held office during her lifetime. The century brought about televisions, cell phones, computers, the invention of the internet and even airplanes began carrying passengers across the United States. While she was adamant that God planted her feet on the ground for a reason, she did take one trip on an airplane after much persuasion and maybe a little bribery involving her great grandkids. The times of adversity she lived through were times that made her stronger. Never shaken, incredibly driven and sometimes a little stubborn she has certainly passed on her best qualities to her children and grandchildren.

Her grandchildren reflect on her life as “inspirational”. She was clothed with strength and dignity, she laughed without fear of the future. Lily was indeed blessed by God and her faithfulness will continue to be an inspiration for many generations to come.

Lily is survived by her three sons: James Patrick Jenkins and wife Carole, Jack Jenkins and wife Diana, John Ray Jenkins. Five grandchildren: Jason Jenkins, Amy Jenkins Calandra, Jackie Jenkins Bennett, John Patrick Jenkins and Brandon Jenkins; eight great-grandchildren Jackson Jenkins, Ashley Jenkins Thomas, Colton Calandra, Caleb Calandra, Amanda Hayes, Clayton Wooley, Hannah Jenkins Schroeder, Madison Jenkins, Mason Jenkins, Jordan Jenkins Hall, Kendall Jenkins Jennings, Brandon Jenkins II. and MacKenzie Jenkins; and five great-great grandchildren Charlie Borne, John David Wooley, Maggie Lou Wooley, Jude Hall and Wesley Hall.

On February 3, 2023 Brookside Funeral Home will host a Family Viewing time from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM and an Open Viewing Time 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM. The graveside service will commence at Henry Cemetary on February 4, 2023 in Gallatin, Texas at 1:00 PM. Officiating will be Pastor Randall Jinkins.

Serving as pallbearers are Jason Jenkins, Jackson Jenkins, John P. Jenkins, Mason Jenkins, Brandon Jenkins, and Caleb Calandra. Serving as an honorary pallbearer, Clayton Wooley.