On June 29, 2018, God called his beloved child, Jessie Irene Jenkins, home surrounded by her family.

Jessie was born on June 8, 1924 to the late Carrington McGhee and Georgianna (Thompson) McGhee of Amelia County, VA. Jessie joined Union Branch Baptist Church of Amelia, VA at an early age.  Her parents were deacon and deaconess of the church. Jessie received her education at Truxville Schools in Amelia County.

As an adult, Jessie moved north to Jersey City, NJ. There she met, and fell in love with Leon Jenkins. They married and were blessed with three children: one son, Leon and two daughters, Ivy and Jennifer. Jessie and Leon baptized and raised their children in Monumental Baptist Church in Jersey City where they attended faithfully and were both active in the church - Leon a deacon and in the Men's Choir, and Jessie in the Ladies Aid Society.

When Leon was called to join our Lord in 1970, Jessie continued to work and raise her family in Jersey City. As the years passed, she met Robert Gilliam of Jersey City, NJ. They were partners and soul-mates for 35 years until he passed in 2008.

Jessie worked in the Jersey City Public School System for 20 years where she was adored and respected by both students and staff alike. She retired from P.S. #41 in 1999. She continued to live in Jersey City until she was unable to stay on her own at which time she joined her daughter's household in Sayreville, NJ.

Jessie leaves a host of family and friends to cherish her memories. She is survived by her children, Jennifer I. Jenkins of Parlin, N.J, Leon C. Jenkins (Rasheedah El-Amin) of Newark, N.J.; sister-in-law, Jane McGee of Amelia County, VA; son-in-law, Samuel Graham of Parlin, NJ; grandchildren, Jesse I. Graham of Parlin, NJ, Travis D. Jenkins of Manassas, VA, Dina M. Harrington of Sayreville, NJ, Shalmirah Figueroa (James) of Rahway, NJ,  Damian Stone of Bowie, MD., and Nicole G. Harrington of Jersey City, NJ; great-grandchildren, Skylar and Sydney Figueroa of Rahway, NJ; Elijah Beaufort of Jersey City, NJ, Latongia Harrington of New York, NY, and Dennis Harrington of Jersey City, NJ. Jessie is preceded in death by brothers, William and Lewis McGhee; sisters, Ida Booth, Thelma Mealy, and Yvonne McGhee; daughter, Ivy J. Harrington; grandson, Dennis L. Harrington; and son-in-law, Dennis Harrington.

Jessie was loving, compassionate, and humble. She was a true Lady in every aspect of her being. She cherished her family, being a close confidante to them and friends alike. All who met her loved her for her nurturing ways, warm disposition, and peaceful demeanor. We are all truly blessed to have had her touch our lives.

Visitation will be at the Flynn and Son Funeral Home, 424 East Avenue, Perth Amboy, NJ 08861 on Thursday, July 5, 2018, from 10:00 AM to Noon with a funeral service in the funeral home at Noon.  Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery, Metuchen.

A Mother & Daughter

It is a special bond that spans the years, through laughter, worry, smiles, and tears.

A sense of trust that cannot be broken, a depth of love sometimes unspoken.

A lifelong friendship built on sharing, hugs and kisses, warmth and caring.

Mother and daughter their hearts as one, a link that can never be undone.

Special Acknowledgement

The family wants to express their sincere appreciation for the love and care Juana Pena of Perth Amboy, NJ bestowed for our loved one for over 10 years. She provided compassionate home care; companionship and friendship for Jessie, as well as peace of mind for the family. Juana, you will always be a cherished member of our family. We love you, and may God bless you always.

Acknowledgements

A friendly smile,

a casual touch,

these are things that mean so much.

To know you are with us

in our time of sorrow,

sharing our prayers,

today and tomorrow.

God gives us comfort

in the form of good friends,

may His peace be with you,

His love never ends.