Beatrice “Bea” O’dell Jenkins, 94, of Erie, IL, most recently of Windsor Manor Assisted Living Community n Morrison, IL, died Sunday, February 10, 2019, at Windsor Manor.
Beatrice was born April 3, 1924, in Tompkinsville, KY, the daughter of Cuthbert and Ada Mae (Belcher) Birch. She attended school in Willow Springs, KY. She married George “Kirby” Jenkins on February 10, 1940, in Glasgow, KY. Bea retired from GE in Morrison after 25 years of service. Bea was a longtime member of the Erie Christian Church. She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, bicycling, cooking, and listening to country music. She loved to play rummy. Bea was a joyful, nurturing person who loved her family and people in general.
She is survived by her three children and spouses, Ann (LaVerne) VanderSchaaf, Morrison, Linda (Marlyn) Schipper, Erie, Roger (Beth) Jenkins, Overland Park, KS; 11 grandchildren, Melisa, Michele, Tasha, Darcy, Bradly, Marlynda, Gregg, Chad, Sarah, Aaron, and Matthew; 28 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; brother, Robert Birch, of Kentucky; sister, Joanie Shelley, of Florida.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kirby; son, Donald Jenkins; daughter, Fran Klockenga; grandson, Ty VanderSchaaf; great-great-grandson, Jace-Remington Gage Huber; three brothers; one sister.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at noon on Thursday, February 14, 2019, at Erie Christian Church, Erie, IL.
Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service at Erie Christian Church, Erie, IL.
Burial will be in Erie Cemetery, Erie, IL.
Gibson-Bode Funeral Home, Erie, IL, is responsible for arrangements.
Share a memory or condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com.