Laura Elizabeth Jenkins

Mrs. Laura Elizabeth Jenkins was born the third of ten children on January 2, 1931 in Leander, Texas to the late Reverend George Benjamin Young and the late Johnnie Lee Denson Young and grew up in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. She graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Marlin, Texas, and furthered her education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics from Paul Quinn College in Waco, TX. She also pursued a Master of Science degree in Special Education from Bishop College in Dallas, TX.

In 1951, Laura was united in marriage to the love of her life, Robert Leon Jenkins. They spent 56 glorious years together until his passing in 2007. During her husband’s 28-years of service in the United States Air Force, they moved constantly while raising 5 active children. Laura relished her most challenging job as a stay-at-home mom. Once all her children graduated from High School, she realized a career as a schoolteacher. During her 20-plus years as an educator, Laura touched the lives of many students while teaching Special Education, Home Economics and an array of courses in the juvenile justice system.

Laura was an avid double pinochle, slam domino, bid whist and bingo player. In her younger days she enjoyed bowling, sewing, vacationing, and fishing with the family along with playing championship-level fast pitch and slow pitch softball.

She is survived by her two daughters (Trena Clark and Sharron Jenkins) and her three sons (Leon Jenkins, Don Jenkins and George Jenkins); her youngest sister Bernice Harris of Waco, TX and youngest brother William E. Young of Golinda, TX; one brother-in-law, Milton Black of Odessa, TX; four sisters-in-law (Ardella Young and Helen Young of Waco, TX, Betty Ray Young of Fort Worth, TX and Shirley Young of Golinda, TX); two daughters-in-law (Leon’s wife Sandra and Don’s wife Patricia); one son-in-law, Larry Clark; 13 – grandchildren , 9 – great-grandchildren and 4 – great-great-grandchildren.

Laura's presence will also be greatly missed by her Visions A.M.E. Church family where she was a devoted member for 18-years. In 2009, the Vision A.M.E. Church Women's Missionary Society was named after Laura in recognition of her steadfast sacrifice and service in ministry outreach.

In addition to her parents and husband, Laura is preceded in death by five brothers (John L. Young, Albert Cecil Young Sr., Aaron Young Sr., Rev.George B. Young and Edward Young) and two sisters (Juanita Young-Black and Lavora Young-Smith).

Laura’s body will be laid to rest with her husband at the Houston National Cemetery, Houston, TX.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.AmericanHeritageFuneralHome.com for the Jenkins family.