Her working career spanned 65 years, including positions as assistant to the CFO of an oilfield equipment company, copywriter for an advertising agency, assistant manager of a credit union, and assistant advertising for a pharmaceutical company. She then spent 22 Years as a legal secretary, paralegal and administrator of a large law firm based in Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles. She returned to Memphis in 1990 to be the executive director of the H. W. Durham Foundation, a position she held until 2002 when she was elected president of the board of the Foundation, a position she held until her death.
After her return to Memphis, Jenks became a parishioner of St. Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral where she served as wedding coordinator, parish treasurer, and chapter member, as well as a member of the Bishop’s Finance Committee for the Diocese of West Tennessee.
In addition to serving as president of the Pecan Grove Homeowners Association, she was a founding member and past president of the Memphis Grantmakers Forum as well as a member and past president of Tuesday Study Club.
Jenks is survived by her son, Christopher L. Cooper, granddaughter Caitlyn M. Cooper, sister Elizabeth Etter Thomas, niece Dr. Shannon Etter Talbott, nephews David M. Thomas and C. Barton Etter III and various grand nieces and nephews.
She was preceded by her parents, her husband Robert K. McCrory and her brother C. Barton Etter, Jr.
Family will receive friends from 1:00pm to 2:00pm on Tuesday, April 8 at Memphis Funeral Home, 5599 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN. Services will follow at 2:00pm. Interment will be at Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Methodist LeBonheur Children's Hospital (of which her father was a founder), Tails of Hope Dog Rescue (PO Box 30245, Memphis, TN 38118) or the charity of the donor's choice.
