Mary Eliza Jenkins

Mary Eliza Johnson Jenkins was born February 13, 1935, in Lake Park, GA to the late Roosevelt and Ruby Johnson.

As written in the book of Ecclesiastes, “to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven…”from February 13, 1935, through January 30, 2018, it was her time to rise and shine-spreading a ray of light and love through her radiant smile. It was her time to give of her caring heart and share her warm embrace. Her time to be a suitable help-mate to her husband of 38 years and to train her children in the way they should go.

It was her time to be a virtuous woman who loved the Lord with all her heart, her mind and her soul. Her time to develop a personal relationship with Christ at Payton African Methodist Episcopal Church where she served faithfully as an active member and President of Choir #1, Sunday School Superintendent, Vice-President of the WMS, Church Steward,designated “Prayer Warrior” who led the Wednesday morning prayer calls.

On Wednesday, January 31, 2018, God looked down upon the earth and decided Mary’s purpose under the heaven was finished and declared “well done thou good and faithful servant...enter thou into the joy of the Lord.”

In addition to her parents, the late Roosevelt and Ruby Johnson, she is preceded in death by one daughter: Venica Harris; one brother: Andrew Johnson; and one son-in-law: Jacob Sanders.

Mary leaves to mourn yet cherished precious memories to her husband: Mr. James E. Jenkins; her children: Jessie Slaughter, Ruby Fleming (John), John Phillips, Linda Payton (Anthony), Wendell Harris, Tina Davis (Douglas), Willie Mae Sanders, Geraldine Berry (Wayne), Donnie Stills, Hazel Jenkins, Nancy Ferguson (Morris), James Jenkins, Jr. (Vennetha), and Lisa Knox (Donald); her twenty nine grandchildren and forty six great-grandchildren whom she loved and adored; two special friends: Mae Nora White and Rose Jackson; her Payton A.M.E. Church family; and a host of extended family and friends.

The Celebration of Life for the late Mrs. Mary Eliza Jenkins will be Saturday, February 03, 2018, 1:00 p.m., from the sanctuary of Payton A.M.E. Church, located 6652 Jumping Gulley Road, Valdosta, GA.

Rev. Velma Grant is pastor and will officiate.

Interment will follow in the Payton A.M.E. Church Cemetery.

Public viewing will be Friday, February 02, 2018, 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Godfrey Funeral Home. There will be a wake from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.