Barbara Bennett Jenkins

Barbara Gail Bennett Jenkins, 77, passed away peacefully after a long battle with dementia on April 30, 2023. She was born in Little Rock on April 1, 1946, to Benjamin Franklin and Bertie Mae Bennett. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Marvin Franklin Jenkins, her brother, Bennie Walter Bennett, her grandson, Dwayne Chance Jenkins and her special friend Duane Arlan Fuhrman. She is survived by her son, Darren Jenkins and his wife Trish of Cabot, daughter, Kelly Mitchell and her husband Tommy of Austin, 5 grandchildren, Presley Harwood and her husband Kyler, Dylan Jenkins and his wife Katrina, Blake, Brayden, and Brooklyn Mitchell, 3 great-grandchildren, her sister, Brenda Bennett Childers, sister-in-law, Fran Bennett, and many other friends and family who loved her dearly.

Barbara graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1965 and owned S&W Dairy bar in Little Rock. Her and Marvin later owned a forklift parts business together and in the 1980’s, Barbara started a very successful Avon business and was known as “The Avon Lady” in Sherwood for over 25 years. Barbara lived in Sherwood for most of her life and spent her last few years at Crestview Senior Living in Cabot.

Barbara never met a stranger and had the sweetest smile and infectious laugh. She brightened every room she entered and was loved by all who met her.

Special thanks to Right at Home, Crestview Senior Living and Arkansas Hospice for taking such good care of Barbara in her final years.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, 2023, and services will be on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills Funeral Home in Sherwood. Interment will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Forest Hills Memorial Park in Alexander.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Alzheimer’s Association of Arkansas, Arkansas Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Arkansas Hospice.