Eleanor Jenkins

A Memorial Service for Eleanor “Irene” Jenkins, age 86, of Enid, will be 2:00 pm, Friday, December 13, 2024 at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Pastors Kenneth Wade and Kelly Cronkhite officiating. The family will lay Irene to rest privately in Maud Cemetery, Cunningham, Kansas, later. Cremation and funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.

 Irene was born April 5, 1938 in Cherokee, Oklahoma to William and Serena (Tharp) Shelman, and passed away Thursday, November 28, 2024 in Enid. Irene attended and graduated from Enid High School in 1956. She married Don Jenkins in January of 1956, and together they travelled the United States and to France for Don’s work in the Air Force. During their time together they had two daughters and two sons.

 Irene loved to bowl and participated in numerous leagues while she lived in Oklahoma and Arizona. As an avid racing fan, she enjoyed attending the dirt track and Nascar races across the United States. She loved all country western dancing, and was a member of the Cow Town Twirlers Square Dancing Group. Later in life, while she lived at the Civitan Homes, she loved playing card games and board games with her fellow residents. Throughout her life she worked at numerous retail stores, including the bowling alley, and an art/jewelry store in Arizona. Irene was sure to bring a laugh to her family and friends by always having something funny to say. 

Irene is preceded in death by her parents, infant sons, William, and Gary Jenkins, two sisters, Marie Payne and Barbara Ball, nephew, Jim Ball, and special friend, Bob Cates of 16 years. She is survived by two daughters, Terecia Jenkins, and Patricia Wegener and husband Billy Joe, both of Enid; three granddaughters, Alicia Robison and husband Garen, of Okeene, OK, Shanda Hay and husband Ron, of Enid; Whitney Unruh and husband Jason, of Enid; six great-grandchildren, Grant, Hunter, Baylea, Taylor, Hudson and Hadley; as well as two nieces, a nephew and other family and friends.

Memorial contributions in Irene’s name may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Alzheimer’s Division with Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home serving as custodian of the funds.

Condolences may be made, memories shared and services viewed online at www.ladusauevans.com.