Carolynn (don’t call her Carolynn) Joan (that’s pronounced Jo-ann) Jenkins left this world September 2, 2021. She was a quiet, reserved woman and didn’t want anyone to make a fuss over her passing, or this obituary for that matter. But since her children never listened to her anyway, here it is.
Joan was predeceased by her brother Raymond Rogers of Altamont, IL. She is survived by her brother, Jim Rogers (Joyce) of St Elmo; her sisters, Margaret, Beulah, Janet, and Dorothy of Altamont; her children, Gregory Allen (the troublemaker) of Sherwood; Christopher Neil (the favorite, AKA He Who Could Do No Wrong) of Springfield, OR; and Melanie Elaine (the one who actually took care of everything and probably should have been her favorite but wasn’t because Chris gave her grandbabies, so there ya go) of North Little Rock; her grandchildren, Logan, India, and Archer of Eugene, OR; and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends. She is also survived by her deaf and blind dog, Tug o’ War, who will probably outlive us all.
Joan became a Registered Nurse in her 40s, working in the cardiac critical care unit of almost every hospital in Little Rock at one point or another. This career afforded her the ability to support her family and to explore the world. She did so extensively for a time, traipsing off to various countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, China, Australia, etc; leaving her children to fend for themselves for weeks, sometimes months on end. This instilled in them a fierce independence and self-sufficiency. At least that’s what they tell people. Their therapists would probably disagree, they haven’t really compared notes.
After Joan had settled down a bit from globetrotting and her children were mostly out of the house, she took up other pursuits. One of her renewed passions was a love for dolls, the porcelain ones, with cherubic smiles and those blank expressionless eyes that seem to stare directly into your soul. She managed to amass an extensive collection over the years, displaying them proudly in glass cases, transforming the master bedroom into a place in which her grandchildren (and others) would be afraid to sleep. She had many other interests as well, too numerous to list here, but at least her daughter was finally able to persuade her to part with the Harlequinn romances. Oh, the trees that gave up their lives for that library.
Much more could be said about Joan, but they’re charging us by the word here so better wrap it up. She was generous to a fault, an amazing and adventurous cook, a wonderful friend, a caring neighbor, and the best mother a child could hope to have (especially if you were her favorite). She has left us to again fend for ourselves. She will be missed.
Services Officiated by Pee Wee Denton will be held 11:00am Saturday April 9, 2022 at Spring Hill Cemetery, rural Beecher City, IL. Lunch will follow immediately after at St. Elmo Park building.
In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to your favorite charity.
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