Obituary for Vivian Jenkins (Thomas)
Vivian Leanette Thomas, the only child of Bennie Thomas and Izona Mitchell Thomas, was born on July 30, 1953, in Marshall, Texas.
She accepted Christ at an early age, dedicating herself as a faithful servant of God. She attended Mallalieu United Methodist Church. She was later baptized within the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Vivian was educated within the Marshall Independent School District. She graduated from Pemberton High School in 1972, proudly wearing her beloved school colors. She continued higher education at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas where she was among the top ten percent of students and in 1976 earning a Bachelor’s of Sociology degree.
Vivian’s career included being an Admissions Clerk at Marshall Memorial Hospital and a Logistics Administrative Assistant for Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas, formerly known as TSTI. Vivian was religiously diverse as an accomplished musician. For 52 years she served as a pianist for various churches including Galilee Baptist Church, Miles Memorial CME, Ward Chapel AME, Paradise Baptist, and Seventh Day Adventist Church (Marshall and Waco) just to name a few. Most recently, she served as pianist for Mount Olive Baptist Church in Marshall, Texas. During her musical tenure, Vivian founded 2 Gospel groups: The Thomasaires (her birth namesake) and The Inspirations. She was also affiliated with The Williams Family singing group.
Vivian wrote down EVERYTHING! She loved doing crossword puzzles, collecting newspaper clippings and funny comic strips. She also loved reading, journaling, watching movies and listening to her favorite R&B artists, Stevie Wonder and The Commodores.
Vivian married Gary L Jenkins in April of 1979. To this union two children were born. In 1975, her first daughter, Cherie was born. She called “Sherry D” her strawberry baby and her pride & joy. In 1982, Vivian gave birth to her son Jeremy who she referred to as her chocolate baby. In 1989, she was taken surprise and gave birth to her miracle vanilla baby named Pamela who was born on her birthday. This gave her Neapolitan ice cream which was her favorite flavor!
Vivian was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Pamela Te’Cola.
She leaves to cherish her memory two children, daughter, Cherie D. Jenkins (Misty) of Hurst, TX and son, Jeremy S. Jenkins of Dallas, TX; three grandsons, JaMarkus D. Jenkins (Ruby) of Longview, TX, Jourdan C. Whiteside (Latatiana) of Hurst, TX and Jaidan C. Whiteside of San Marcos, TX; one granddaughter, Jasmine C. Smith of Hurst, TX; two great-grandsons, Elijah O. Jenkins and Izaiah B. Jenkins whom she called “Turk”; two god nieces, Andrea T. Seymour and Tina M. Seymour both of Marshall, TX; a very special friend, Willie L. Aime of Longview, TX; a host of other relatives and friends whom she loved dearly.
She accepted Christ at an early age, dedicating herself as a faithful servant of God. She attended Mallalieu United Methodist Church. She was later baptized within the Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Vivian was educated within the Marshall Independent School District. She graduated from Pemberton High School in 1972, proudly wearing her beloved school colors. She continued higher education at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas where she was among the top ten percent of students and in 1976 earning a Bachelor’s of Sociology degree.
Vivian’s career included being an Admissions Clerk at Marshall Memorial Hospital and a Logistics Administrative Assistant for Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas, formerly known as TSTI. Vivian was religiously diverse as an accomplished musician. For 52 years she served as a pianist for various churches including Galilee Baptist Church, Miles Memorial CME, Ward Chapel AME, Paradise Baptist, and Seventh Day Adventist Church (Marshall and Waco) just to name a few. Most recently, she served as pianist for Mount Olive Baptist Church in Marshall, Texas. During her musical tenure, Vivian founded 2 Gospel groups: The Thomasaires (her birth namesake) and The Inspirations. She was also affiliated with The Williams Family singing group.
Vivian wrote down EVERYTHING! She loved doing crossword puzzles, collecting newspaper clippings and funny comic strips. She also loved reading, journaling, watching movies and listening to her favorite R&B artists, Stevie Wonder and The Commodores.
Vivian married Gary L Jenkins in April of 1979. To this union two children were born. In 1975, her first daughter, Cherie was born. She called “Sherry D” her strawberry baby and her pride & joy. In 1982, Vivian gave birth to her son Jeremy who she referred to as her chocolate baby. In 1989, she was taken surprise and gave birth to her miracle vanilla baby named Pamela who was born on her birthday. This gave her Neapolitan ice cream which was her favorite flavor!
Vivian was preceded in death by her parents and daughter, Pamela Te’Cola.
She leaves to cherish her memory two children, daughter, Cherie D. Jenkins (Misty) of Hurst, TX and son, Jeremy S. Jenkins of Dallas, TX; three grandsons, JaMarkus D. Jenkins (Ruby) of Longview, TX, Jourdan C. Whiteside (Latatiana) of Hurst, TX and Jaidan C. Whiteside of San Marcos, TX; one granddaughter, Jasmine C. Smith of Hurst, TX; two great-grandsons, Elijah O. Jenkins and Izaiah B. Jenkins whom she called “Turk”; two god nieces, Andrea T. Seymour and Tina M. Seymour both of Marshall, TX; a very special friend, Willie L. Aime of Longview, TX; a host of other relatives and friends whom she loved dearly.