Barbara Lee Smith Jenkins

Our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend and mentor, Barbara Lee Jenkins (known as Sally) was called to the presence of the Lord on September 1, 2011 after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer. She passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by family.

Barbara was born May 1, 1939 to the late Jacquelin Amanda Smith in Harrisonburg, VA. Barbara was raised by her mother and stepfather, Henry J. Smith Sr. along with her 7 brothers and sisters. She accepted Christ at young age and was a lifelong member of First Baptist Church, Harrisonburg, VA.

Barbara graduated from Lucy F. Simms High School, in 1956 and received her Bachelor’s degree from Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA. In 1959, she entered into sisterhood with the ladies of Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Barbara completed her master’s degree in Social Work at Rutgers University, New Jersey.

Barbara married Willie Lee Jenkins Sr. and had two sons, Willie Lee Jenkins, Jr. and Darryl Lee Jenkins. She enjoyed traveling the world, casinos, shopping, and was most proud of her grandsons.

She retired from a 25-year career with DYFS, Division of Youth and Family Services, Middlesex County New Jersey. She was dedicated to making an impact in the lives of all whom she came in contact with. Upon her retirement, she returned to Harrisonburg, VA where she continued to share her humanity by opening up her home in Harrisonburg, Va. as a convalescent home for family and friends. She was a kind, loving, giving and caring spirit who touched the lives of all who knew her.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Jacquelin Amanda Smith, stepfather, Henry J. Smith and two brothers, Garland Smith and Henry J. Smith Jr.

She leaves to her legacy: two sons, Willie L. Jenkins, Jr. his wife Gwendolyn V. Jenkins, Piscataway, New Jersey, and Darryl L. Jenkins, Lawrenceville, Georgia; three grandsons, Malcolm Jenkins, New Orleans, Louisiana, Martin Jenkins, Myles Jenkins, Piscataway, New Jersey; two brothers Tyrone Winston, Piscataway, New Jersey and Xavier Smith, Somerset, New Jersey; four sisters; Opthelia Whitelow, Clinton, MD, Angelina Barnhardt, Felton, DE., Grace Smith, Newark, NJ, and Sonya Smith, Phil. PA. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends 7-8:00 PM, Tuesday, September 6, at Lindsey Funeral Home in Harrisonburg.

A funeral service will be held 11:00 AM, Wednesday, September 7, at First Baptist Church, with Rev. Dr. C. E. Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Newtown Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.lindseyharrisonburg.com.