Melba Louise Jenkins

Melba Louise Jenkins, 88, of Beaumont, died Thursday, June 1, 2017. A native and lifelong resident of the area, she was born on January 3, 1929, to Svea Blumquist Silverburg and Edwin Silverburg. She is preceded in death by her husband, William Gates Jenkins, junior and her six older siblings, all who helped raise her and adored their baby sister.

The life of Melba and Bill was filled with faith, family, friends and service. Since 1943, she was a member of North End Methodist Church, which became Wesley Methodist Church. Melba graduated from French High School in 1946 and married Bill in 1947. The homeroom mother, Boy Scout mom, and then a librarian at Eugene Fields Elementary School, Melba was the mother with an apron at her waist, oatmeal cookies on the counter and the back door open. Her four grandchildren grew up in her kitchen and in Bill’s garden. Homemade Christmas stockings, baby blankets and treasured recipes have been carried down to her nine great-grandchildren.

She and Bill loved to laugh and adventures were often, whether on a date night with a bowling league or travels across the country. Among their favorite trips were annual ship reunions with those Bill served in the United States Navy during World War II. Her warm nature carried her into the last phase of her life at Collier Park where she was never without a friend or a Bingo partner. Not an unkind word spoken, Melba was soft, sweet and gentle. She leaves behind a family that learned to love without any conditions except that you never stop and you hug always.

Survivors include her son, Mike Jenkins and his wife, JoBeth; daughter Diane Castro and her husband, Toby, all of Beaumont; grandchildren, William Gates Jenkins III and his wife Gillian, of Beaumont; Michael Jenkins, Jr and his wife Betsy, of Tyler; Sara Tahaney and her husband Casey, of Groves; and Colby Castro of Missouri City; great-grandchildren, Hannah Jenkins, William Gates Jenkins IV, Roy Thomas Jenkins, Mary Ellis Jenkins, Bowen Jenkins, Henry Jenkins, Jake Tahaney, Jillian Tahaney and Delilah Castro.

A gathering of Mrs. Jenkins’ family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 4, 2017, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.  A graveside service will be 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 5, 2017, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boy Scouts of America Troop #65 c/o Wesley United Methodist Church, 3810 North Major Drive, Beaumont, Texas 77713; or St. Anne Catholic School, P.O. Box 3429, Beaumont, Texas 77704.