Mrs. Ruth K. Jenkins, the daughter of the late Washington and Stiney Kennedy, was born in Gourdine, South Carolina on December 31, 1930. She departed her life on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at Trident Medical Center in Charleston, SC. Ruth started her early education in Williamsburg County School System and graduated from Russellville School in 1949. She continued her education at Allen University in Columbia, SC. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Education. On February 19, 1954, Ruth was united in holy matrimony to Thomas Arthur Jenkins, Sr. They were blessed with four children; her husband and one child preceded her in death. Ruth was an educator for the Berkeley County School System for over 30 years at Whitesville Elementary School, Moncks Corner, SC. She enjoyed working with young people. She was a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. She was also a member of St. John Chapter #213, Order of the Eastern Star, where she served as Worthy Matron for 10 years. Her other affiliations included: Arabian Court #128, Daughters of Isis; Thurgood Marshall Assembly #368, Order of the Golden Circle; Briner- Eutawville-Jehovah Court #19, Heroines of Jericho; and Ronald E. McNair Guild #5, Heroines of Templar Crusades. Ruth was a faithful member of Redeemer Reformed Episcopal Church where she served in the following: President of the Missionary, The Vestry Board, Chairperson of the Church Leader Committee, Missionary Prayer Band, and Sunday School Teacher. She leaves her loving memories to her caring and devoted children: Thomas (Stacy) Jenkins, Jr. of Liverpool, NY, Michael (Aletha) Jenkins of Columbia, SC, and Barbara (Kevin) Addison of Holly Hill, SC; seven loving grandchildren: Omar Dingle of Greenville, SC, Derek Jenkins of Hayward, CA, Kevin Addison, Jr. of Holly Hill, SC, Jade Jenkins of Liverpool, NY, Ashley Addison of Holly Hill of SC; Michael and Mya Jenkins of Liverpool, NY, and Kenneth Kitchens of Columbia, SC; one great-grandchild, Marcus Dingle of Philadelphia, PA; three sisters, the Rev. Dr. Gerlene Izzard Nesmith of Philadelphia, PA, Leavy Jenkins of Wallingford, PA and Katie Jerido of Brooklyn, NY; one brother, Nathaniel (Rose) Kennedy of Chesapeake, VA; four sisters-in-law: Alethia Butler, Helena (Thomas) Bouy, Mary Louise (Nathaniel) Williams, and Janie Wilma (Theodore) Caviness; one brother-in-law, Samuel Jenkins (Franca) of Philadelphia, PA; special caregivers, Valerie J. Sumter, David Whaley and Otis Mustapher; and a host of nieces and nephews.
