Marie Thompson Jenkins, age 85, passed away Monday, July 23, 2012, at her residence in Florence after an extended illness. Marie died in the same way that she lived…quiet and peaceful, surrounded by family.
Visitation was last evening at Greenview Funeral Home. The funeral service will be today, Wednesday, July 25, 2012 at 2 p.m. in Greenview Memorial Chapel with Dr. Kenny Barfield and Bob Plunket officiating. Burial will follow in Greenview Memorial Park.
She was born on September 20, 1926, the only child of Robert Clinton (Cat) Thompson and Elvie Mae Gray Thompson who preceded her in death.
She is survived by her husband of 65 years, Glen Jenkins, and their children, Robert (Martha) Jenkins, Glenda (Joe) Pinto, and Teresa (Jim) Terry. She leaves 4 grandchildren, Angela (Mike) Kitching, Heather (Bruce) Jordan, Allison (John) Webb, and Chase Terry, 7 great grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.
Marie was born in her grandmother’s home near the Greenhill Community in Lauderdale County and lived much of her early childhood in St. Joseph, TN. She often said that she believed she read every book in the St. Joe School Library. She later moved to Florence with her parents and graduated from Coffee High School in 1944.
She met her future husband, Glen, when they were teenagers. Most of their early courtship consisted of him walking her home from church. She was a faithful letter writer while he was stationed overseas during WWII. They married when he was home on leave in December 1946. Glen always said that he was first attracted to Marie because she was a quiet person. She never changed in that regard. She kept a quiet, peaceful home. Her favorite past times were reading and crochet. She may have been quiet but she did like to have fun. She hosted many a family get together on the Tennessee River and stopped having a “standing” hair appointment in the 1960’s because she wanted to go swimming on Saturday afternoons. She liked to drive to the Chat & Chew and buy her dog Pluto an ice cream cone. She roller skated with her grandchildren. She never said no to an invitation to eat Chinese food. She loved to bargain shop with her cousins. If you don’t know about her cousins…then you really don’t know Marie. No cousins have ever been so loved. They loved her and she loved all of them. When she married Glen he was welcomed into their special world. Her favorite memories to the end of her life involved her cousins.
Marie’s life story can’t be complete without mention of Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ. She placed membership in the 1930’s along with her parents. She was active in all aspects of church life until her health deteriorated. Mere words cannot express what her church family has meant to her throughout the years. They have kept vigil with her family in her slow decline.
The family would like to publicly acknowledge the good care given to Marie by Dr. Ricky Irons and his nurse, Sally. Caregivers in the home: Cindy Juelfs, Sherry Dinkard, Nick Barton, and Barbara Murphy.
An online guest book may be viewed and signed at greenviewmemorial.com.
Arrangements by Greenview Funeral Home.
