Geneva Lyla Jenkins née Noble, 104, of Plymouth Street, Olympia, WA, passed away March 21, 2018. She was born in Minot, North Dakota on January 4, 1914 to Richmond Vilrette Noble & Edith Noble née Riggin. She grew up near Lake City, South Dakota on a farm owned by her grandfather and farmed by her parents. In September 1927, when she was 13, her family moved to Washington by driving across the country in a Model A Ford. The whole family of five kids (Eunice, Erva, Ray, Lucile, and herself) and parents went along and camped whenever they didn’t find shelter at night. After many adventures, they arrived in Washington in late 1928. They settled in Carnation, Washington for a few years, then moved to Olympia, Washington where Geneva remained for the rest of her life.
Geneva Jenkins graduated from Olympia High School in 1932 and received a Diploma. She was the first in her family to graduate High School. She was married to Arthur Jenkins on December 23, 1933 and they had two children: Norene Jenkins and Lauren Jenkins. Not long after she married, she decided to attend Dietz Business College where she took business courses for over a year. She then took temporary jobs until at last becoming a secretary for the Washington State Legislature and other Washington State departments until she retired.
She had a passion for reading, traveling, knitting, gardening, bowling, and her friends and family. Geneva Jenkins was a lifelong Democrat and a devout Christian. She is survived by her son, Lauren Jenkins; her grandchildren, Katie Finnell, Jennie Mullins, Andrew Jenkins, and Juli Drake; and also her great-grandchildren, Kayla Lutz, Dominic Jenkins, Andrew Mullins, Lyla Drake, and Cooper Drake. She also leaves behind good friends including Diane Smith, Sandy Knapp, Geri Thorp, Loralee Hartt, Al & Janet Summerfield, and many others. Her only disappointment in life was not being able to read every book ever written, though she stated many times that she “made a good stab at it.”
Funeral services will be held at Mills & Mills Funeral Home on April 2, 2018. Viewing at 10:00 AM, Funeral then Reception at 11:00 AM, and Graveside at 1:00 PM. Both flowers and donations to The Salvation Army’s Meals on Wheels program in Geneva’s name will be welcome.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18