Sandra LaVaughn Jenkins

Sandra LaVaughn Jenkins, 82, passed away peacefully on February 11, 2026, at her home surrounded by family. She was born on November 17, 1943, in Cape Sandy, Indiana to the late Carl and Adeline Attwood. She was married to the love of her life, James R. Jenkins, Sr. for 34 years before his untimely death in 1995. In their time together, they created a loving family with four children, Cathy, James R. Jr., Patricia and Lera. As their children grew so did their family adding grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Sandra was a caregiver by trade and nature. She worked at several nursing homes throughout her life, dedicating years at Lincoln Hills and then finally retiring from North Clark Hospital in 2010. She lived out the last years of her life in her vegetable garden, admiring her flowers and mowing her grass. In the winter months, she passed time by watching gangster movies, Murder She Wrote, Touched by an Angel and anything with Tom Selleck in it. She also loved music by artist, Billy Joel, Il Divo, Dean Martin and Cher.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, James Jenkins, Sr.; a daughter, Lera McIntosh; two grandchildren, Roger Paul McIntosh Jr. and Travis Clay Baker; a great granddaughter, Layla Faye Ziehm; and three siblings, Carl Attwood Jr., Shirley Attwood and Robert Attwood.

Sandra is survived by her daughters, Cathy (Todd) Ziehm and Patricia (Terry Baker) Chester; a son, James R. Jenkins Jr.; grandchildren, Cassie (Michael) Norman, Christopher Ziehm, Terry Baker Jr., William "Tra" (Brie) Hall III, Nathan (Maranda) Jenkins, William (Libby) Jenkins, Nicole Martinez, Justin Moore, Waylon Moore, Lena McIntosh and Lylah McIntosh; 21 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Kraft Funeral Service, located at 708 E. Spring Street, New Albany, Indiana, 47150 on February 15, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and on February 16, 2026, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. Funeral service will be on February 16, 2026, starting at 1:00 pm with burial to follow at Kraft Graceland Memorial Park.