Doris Crews Jenkins' Obituary
Doris Crews Jenkins, 81, passed away on Monday, April 21, 2008, surrounded by her family at Good Shepherd Medical Center. A graveside service will be held at Rosewood Park Cemetery at 10:00 AM on Thursday, April 24, 2008, followed by a service in celebration of her life to be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Oakland Heights Baptist Church in Longview. Ministers assisting with the services are Dr. Tom Roberson, Rev. David Lawson, and Rev. Kevin Bright. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 23, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Rader Funeral Home in Longview.
Born on November 25, 1926, Doris Jean Crews Jenkins was the only child of Jesse Calvin and Ernestine Ham Crews. After growing up in the Red Springs area of Smith County and graduating from Winona High School, she received a Bachelor's degree in education from East Texas State Teachers' College in Commerce and a Master's degree in education from North Texas State University in Denton.
Mrs. Jenkins taught elementary grades in Bastrop, Cleveland, Slaton, and Brownsboro, Texas, before spending the majority of her 31-year teaching career in Longview ISD at Valley View Elementary School. She is remembered for doing special art projects with her classes and for always reading aloud to her students. Mrs. Jenkins was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, a teachers' sorority, as well as Texas State Teachers' Association and Texas Retired Teachers' Association. She was awarded a Life Membership in Texas PTA.
As a charter member of Oakland Heights Baptist Church, Mrs. Jenkins served in many capacities through the years including teaching Sunday School and working with mission organizations. The church published two different volumes of church history during her years there, and both volumes were researched and written by Mrs. Jenkins. She also enjoyed painting, quilting and sewing, and writing letters to her granddaughters.
Survivors include her husband of 58 years, Eldoras B. Jenkins of Longview; daughter Jeanna Jenkins of Garland; daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca and Mickey Melton, of Longview; granddaughters Ann Crews Melton of Boston, Massachusetts, Emily Melton Harris and her husband Jess Harris of Frisco, Texas, and Elizabeth Michael Melton of Longview; and special cousin, Charles Ham, of Montalba, Texas.
The family expresses their sincere appreciation to Dr. Rick Earnest for his compassionate care and concern. Special thanks goes to the Oakland Heights church family for their kind expressions of love and friendship through the years.
A memorial guestbook may be signed online at www.raderfh.com
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