Golden Washington Jenkins

Born in Crockett, TX on September 22, 1914, Golden Washington Groves, was the firstborn of five children to her parents, Ed Spence Groves and Zemlia Cooper Groves. Her father was a Sunday School Superintendent, and he made sure Golden and her siblings went to Sunday School and church regularly. Rain or shine - on foot or by horseback - the Groves family was in church. As the eldest child, Golden was expected to take on a lot of responsibility in the household including feeding and caring for her younger siblings. No matter how old her siblings got, this sense of responsibility never ended. "Golden was my big sister, my mother and my very best friend," recalls Gerda Taylor, her youngest sibling. What was truly amazing is Golden regularly dealt with several illnesses growing up. She was sick so often that many, including her, did not think she would live to see her twentieth birthday. Of course, she defied the odds! She went on to graduate from Crockett High School and then got her teaching degree from Mary Allen College in Crockett, TX. At the age of 24, Golden Washington Groves married Lee Robert Jenkins in the summer of 1938. The couple moved to Houston, TX in 1940. Shortly after relocating to Houston, she went to Franklin Beauty School. Golden and her sister, Crystal Groves Floyd, opened a beauty shop together and worked as beauticians for over 20 years. Lee Robert and Golden Jenkins adopted one son, Meredith Jenkins, and also instrumental in the rearing of their nephew and niece, Terence "Tim" Kirk and Sheryl "Renee" Kirk. They raised the three of them as their children. Golden joined Williams Temple Church of God in Christ in October 1940. Influenced by her upbringing, it did not take her long to get involved in the ministry. Over the course of her life, she served as Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Secretary and eventually as the Supervisor of the Sunday School Dept. In addition to the Sunday School Department, she served on the Deaconess Board, Mothers' Board, Building Committee, Finance Committee and Keenagers Fellowship Ministry. Golden instilled the same passion for Sunday School and church into her children, Meredith, Renee and Tim. Her passion and consistency translated into all three children giving their lives to Christ at a relatively young age. Meredith is now a Minister at Second Baptist Church. Renee is a Sunday School Superintendent at Christ Temple of Deliverance Church of God in Christ. Tim is an Elder, General Sunday School Superintendent (Williams Temple Church), Jurisdictional Sunday School Superintendent and Chairman of AIM. Her love for God has been passed down to her children's children, and it will be continued for generations to come. In September 2014, she celebrated her 100th birthday with a banquet that was attended by more than 300 family and friends. This jewel, this precious gift to the body of Christ and to this world - affectionately called "Mama" by her children, "Momo" by her grandchildren, "Auntie" by her nieces and nephews, "Mother" by her church family and simply "Golden" by her siblings - went home to be with the Lord on May 4, 2015. Golden Jenkins was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Robert Jenkins, in August 2001 after 63 years of marriage. She is also preceded in death by her siblings: Theophilus Groves, Sr. (Eufigenia), Crystal Groves Floyd and Jewel White (Tyree). She is survived by two of her siblings, Charlie Otis and Gerda Taylor, her children, grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, church family and friends. Golden Washington Jenkins was without question the matriarch of the family. A loving, caring and patient mother to many A dedicated follower of Christ A teacher of the Gospel She was a faithful friend and truly one of God's greatest gift to the earth.