Bessie Faye Jenkins

Bessie Steele "Bess" Jenkins, 92, moved to her eternal home on Tuesday evening November 8, 2022. She was a resident of Providence Personal Care Home in Grenada, MS.

Born in the Ellard community near Bruce on February 16, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Elmer Loraine and Flora Helen McKibben Steele. She was preceded in death by her husband Max E. Jenkins, and two sisters: Dixie Steele Davis and Betty Steele Jenkins.

She and her husband Max Jenkins founded Jenkins Cooling and Heating in Bruce, MS in 1959 and she worked in the family business until she retired after his death on June 19, 1984. She moved to Grenada, MS in 2002 to be near her family. She enjoyed "living on the lake" as she would tell anyone. She was able to live alone for 7 years at which time Gary and Jane moved in to assist her. After falling and suffering several broken bones and needing more assistance she moved to Providence. She was a member of First Baptist Church, Grenada, MS, and a former member of the Daughters of The American Revolution.

Her family was her life. She loved and cherished her "boys" and her grandchildren. Her love for her family was evident in the many ways she always encouraged and supported all of them. She loved deeply and was deeply loved and appreciated. She often expressed her appreciation to her family and to her caregivers all of whom were special to her.

She had told the story of accepting Jesus as her Savior in Bible School when she was nine years old and how her mother made a white dress with lace stitching for the baptism. In those days there was few inside baptistry's, so a neighbor's pond was used. She laughed when saying she went in the dirty water in a white dress and came out in a light brown dress that was never white again.

Although we will miss her profoundly, we are confident that she is healed and rejoicing in Heaven.

She is survived by two sons Gary E. Jenkins and his wife Jane of Grenada, MS, and Dr. Gregory K. Jenkins, MD, MMM, FACP, CPE and his wife Michelle of Olive Branch, MS; her brother Bobby Steele of Calhoun City, MS; sister-in-law Faye Jenkins of Bruce, MS and her aunt Rubye McKibben Murk of Gulfport, MS.

She is also survived by her grandsons Tyler Keith Jenkins, his wife Anna and their daughter Ada Lou and son Whit of Durham, North Carolina, Trent Kyle Jenkins, and Matthew Steele Jenkins of Olive Branch and their mother Susan Hoyle and husband Les of Southaven, MS.

She is survived by her step-grandchildren Sledge (Abby) Simmons and their daughter Ruby of Kiln, MS and Steve (Lindsey) Simmons and their children Caylin and Matthew of Brandon, MS, Bailey (Wenger) Herrera, her husband Oscar and their daughter Vivie of Hersey, PA, Dr. Morgan (Wenger) Lampson, her husband Chris of Columbia, SC, and Carter Wenger of Buffalo, NY.

There will be a graveside service on Saturday, November 12, 2022, at 3:00 PM at Bruce Cemetery in Bruce, MS with Dr. Jim Nunnelee officiating.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to her caregivers at Grenada Living Center, UMMC-Grenada, Tallahatchie General Rehabilitation and more recently Providence Personal Care Home where she received excellent, compassionate care. Also, to her neighbors Tom and Judy Davis, Muriel Smith, and Shirley Whaley who checked on her frequently allowing her to stay in her home as long as possible. Your many acts of kindness are appreciated more than you will ever know!

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to The Gideons International: P.O. Box 36, Grenada, MS 38902, or a charity of your choice.

The staff of Parker Memorial Funeral Home is honored to serve the Jenkins family as they walk through this season of loss. We ask that you keep them, in your thoughts and prayers as they mourn the passing of their loved one.