Evangelist Wilma Jean Jenkins

Our mother, Mrs. Wilma Jean Jenkins was born on July 19, 1944 to Bishop William L. Foster and Lorrene Jefferson Foster.  She was of Cherokee-Choctaw descent and grew up in Amherstdale, Logan County, West Virginia in a loving household with her siblings.

Wilma Jean Foster, married our Father, Frank R. Jenkins (who has since deceased) on Sept 5, 1973.  They were happily married for over 39 years and were together over 45 years until our father transitioned to the heavens.

Ma was the backbone of our family raising her own four children, Raynold Edward, Jean Nicole, Brian Keith and Lorena Frances and also her first grandson, U.S. Marine Veteran Matthew Warner, who is affectionately nicknamed “Smiley”.  Of course, handling our father as well...(she was tough)!  

At an early age, she was baptized and began her walk with Christ.  Mom loved going to church and worshiping the Lord.   She would sing HIS praises while teaching us the love of gospel music.  Some of her favorites were Mahalia Jackson, Rev. James Cleveland, Aretha Franklin and Shirley Caesar.  

Mom was a women of faith with a joy of family.   She taught us to love and respect everyone.  That smile of hers would brighten up the room.  Her favorite food of choice was fish which growing up, we ate religiously every Friday, cooked by our father, the “Chef” of the family (even though momma loved that filet of fish with cheese from McDonald’s).

Mom went to the highly regarded old Girls’ High School, a historically and architecturally notable public secondary school located on Nostrand Ave in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn N.Y. which was built in 1886.  Alumnae Shirley Chisholm, Lena Horne, Roxie Roker and so many more who attended there in the years prior.  After completing her 4 year HS term, she then went on to work at Sak’s 5th Ave doing key punch data entry.  Our greatest memories every December was when all of her children went to the store’s Christmas party where we would eat Ice cream and other assortments of flavorful treats. Those were the days.  Mom also worked at Interfaith Hospital on Atlantic Ave for over 14 years where she was in charge of the mini clinic helping so many patients get the healthcare they needed and deserved.

Mommy loved her family.  I remember fondly how often she would talk about her father and siblings, especially my Aunt Vergie and how she raised her after the passing of their mother early in her childhood.  We were very close with our cousins Angie, Jerome, Randy and Winky.  We would often visit them so much to the point where we looked at them as our other brothers and sister.  We also remember visiting her brother Clifford and Auntie Joanne in Ohio almost every summer where we got to see our other cousins Jevett and Miguel. 

Later in life, I (adoringly known to her as “Treetop”) was able to give my Mother the joy of marrying my wife Dionne and giving her four beautiful grandchildren, Rome Dante, Darien Kaine and twin girls, Khya Amori and Kimora Amani.  My parents enjoyed all of them immensely.  All of my children loved her and affectionately called her “Grandma Jean”.  Every time they would speak to her, they started off the sentence with “Hallelujah Grandma” and she loved that so much because it was her way of continuing her love of the Lord and teaching the next generation of children to believe in God.  She loved to brag about all of her grandchildren and their accomplishments, such as receiving scholarships to attend specialized high schools and upcoming colleges for our girls and college scholarships for our boys as well.  Education was always a priority in our household.

Our Mom was so supportive in all of our endeavors in life.  She was always there for us and others. She was so compassionate in showing her condolences to her friends when they lost loved ones. One of my mother’s achievements was when she was named an Evangelist Minister in the Rose of Sharon Church of Christ Disciples ministered by Pastor Rouse.  In this way, she followed in the footsteps of her Father, Bishop William Luther Foster.

Wilma Jean Jenkins had a peaceful transition to be with her husband and heavenly father on the afternoon of February 10th, 2021.  She is survived by her remaining siblings Robert Earl Foster, Frances Delaine Threatt, Roberta Foster, her children, Raynold Edward, Jean Nicole, Brian Keith and Lorena Francis, her grandchildren Mathew Warner, Rome Dante, Darien Kaine, Khya Amori, Kimora Amani, Monsana Millie and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends as well as her church family. 

In life you are remembered by your deeds and actions.  Through her faith, our mother left a legacy which we all hope to follow.  We, your family Love you eternally Mommy now that you have your wings you can help the world.  May the Lord Bless you always.

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