In 1995, Damon Jenkins, Lib’s husband,
passed away. At the time I lived in
Clearwater, Fla and did not become aware of
his death until after the funeral. Needless
to say, I missed attributing my condolences
to Mrs Jenkins at the time. So I wrote her a
letter stating my regrets. I can’t remember
exactly what I wrote in that letter but it had
a lot to do with how, when I was a kid growing
up on Old Ellerbe Rd down from Five Points,
the Jenkins house was like a second home to me
and I really was saddened to learn of Mr
Jenkin’s death.
At one point, when my mom was in the hospital
at Richmond Memorial sometime in the late
90s, I bumped into Mrs Jenkins at the
hospital. She went on and on to me about her
family - showing me photos and how she had
appreciated that letter I had sent her about
her husband – and she still had it. I am so
glad I took the time to sit down and write
that letter to her. I just wanted to let her
know that she and her husband were special
people to me and would always be remembered.
This website, Rockingham Remembered, is all
about memories. Memories like these - of the
people you grew up with and the many
experiences during those years. Just like
the ones I experienced with the Jenkins
family. They were a staple of the
neighborhood. You couldn't find better
people to call your friends.
I was deeply saddened when I read that Mrs
Jenkins had died. And what was especially sad
was that she was such a vibrant lady at 86
years old and still driving. Such a tragedy
it was that she was taken from the family and
friends so suddenly in a car accident. I saw
the photo in the Journal of the accident
scene and Mrs Jenkin’s car, a Buick. As far as
I can remember, the Jenkins always had a
Buick in their driveway.
I did get to attend the family gathering from
2 to 3 on Sunday, Feb 3 in Rockingham at the
First Presbyterian Church. You could tell
that she was a very popular and well thought
of lady by the number of people there to pay
their last respects. If I am not mistaken,
Mrs Jenkins had received recognition from
her church for her attendance there for 50
years. In fact, I got to meet and talk with
the Mayor of Rockingham, Gene McLaurin and he
mentioned to me that she sat in front of him
many Sundays in church and was a great asset
to First Presbyterian. You know, that is what
is so ironic about attending an event like
this. We grieve for the loved one and the
family in their loss. But in reality, the
loved one has passed on to be with God in
Heaven. One of my friends at my church here
in Cary, Westwood Baptist, wife was
diagnosed with cancer and didn’t have long to
live. And you know what she told her husband?
“I’m going to get to see Jesus before you”.
Now, that says it all.
It has always been this way I guess. Events
such as this bring so many people together
that you haven’t seen in years and probably
won’t see again until there is another
occasion as this. But wouldn’t it be great if
there could be a reunion of friends such as
this without one being taken from us? Having
not lived in Rockingham since 1988, I saw
many people from my past that I haven’t seen
in ages. Woody Jenkins, Mrs Jenkin’s oldest
son and I went hunting when we were kids. I
remember he always had a 16 gauge shotgun
that he used. And I understand he is still an
avid hunter today. Woody worked at the
Railroad in Hamlet as an Electrician while I
was there. Jerry Jenkins, the youngest child
of Mrs Jenkins – he was a great childhood
friend as well in the neighborhood and worked
for Swink Oil for years. The last time I saw
Jerry was in Shallotte – quite by accident
when we were visiting my wife’s parents. I
hardly recognized him, it had been so long.
Now, I see that he talked his older brother
into moving there also. And, Jenny Sue
Jenkins Lear. When I had my ’66 Chevelle, I
would give her a ride to school every day. We
grew up together in the old neighborhood. She
now lives in Marion SC with her husband Billy.
So many people attended this gathering to pay
their respect that I remember from the past.
Delores “Bubba” Smith – another friend from
years ago in the neighborhood, son of Grady
Smith that used to run Smith's Store on our
street, Richard Martin and Ronald Wallace,
both former classmates at the old Rockingham
High School, Anna Baucom, youngest child of
the Baucoms that used to live on old Highway
220 across from Water’s Café - her brother
Jimmy was a good friend of mine - Carol and
Nellie Folsom, cousins of the Jenkins that I
hadn’t seen in probably 40 years, Billy
Lassiter from Five Points, and probably more
that I can’t remember.
I only wish I had more time to sit down with
the Jenkins children and reminisce about the
past and their mom but for some reason there
seems never to be enough time to allow this.
It seems only a few years ago that we all were
running through the neighborhood, in and out
of their house, practically living in the
wooded area behind their house, riding a
buggy pulled by our pony Trigger and picking
plums or blackberries. But like I tell my
grandchildren now, enjoy your youth and take
time to enjoy life at that age because time
stands still for no one.
My mother is 85 years old and I tried in the
past to get her to go with me to visit Mrs
Jenkins right up the street. But my mom has
dementia and didn’t really remember Mrs
Jenkins so we never made that trip. I wish we
had.
I don’t know what the children will do with
the Jenkins homeplace but the memories of
their mom and dad will always be with me and
will not fade. My sincere regrets go out to
Woody, Jerry and Jenny Sue and I just wanted
to let them know how a former childhood
friend felt about their mom and dad.
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