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Born and reared in Manzanola, Colorado to a pioneer family whose family owned a butcher shop, mercantile store, and had an ice business . She crossed over to her Heavenly Father May 6, 2009, in Johnson City, Texas.

Emelyn, born October 2, 1911, married Leslie Leon Jenkins on May 9, 1926. To this union were born five children. Emelyn met the love of her life in that same mercantile store owned by her parents.

She had one love, she stated. Each year on the 9th of May, she would tell you she was celebrating her anniversary. “Bub”, as she fondly called him, died August 27, 1959. They resided in Donna, Texas. She raised her two younger sons, Ricky and Paul, alone. She packed fruit and vegetables in the packing houses in the ‘Valley’ of Texas. She was a proud member of Donna Citrus Association, Donna, Texas. Emelyn worked in foodservice for the Donna ISD and hospital. She was proud of her affiliation with the Eastern Star and the Rebecca’s.

She came to Austin, Texas in the 1970’s to be closer to her children.

She took it upon herself to dispense advice. She did something besides draw breath and take up space. Her legacy includes words like grace, love, compassion, kindness, truth, honesty and thoughtfulness. Emelyn was a loving wife, mother, grandmother. She leaves behind many friends in the Rio Grande Valley and Central Texas.

In 2003, Emelyn moved to Johnson City with her son Paul and wife Sherry. She received her faithful friend and companion “Minnie” the dachshund. Minnie and Zoe frequently visited the LBJ Nursing Home. It was to the delight of all, seeing the two tiny dogs find their way directly to Mama J’s bedside and soon jump to her side.

At her death she was 97 years, 7 months 4 days. She did her best to live by the Ten Commandments which was her favorite scripture.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Jacob Clarence Keeton and Minnie Branscomb Keeton; husband, Leslie Leon Jenkins; sons, Richard (infant), “Buddy” Jenkins and Leslie “Rick” Jenkins.

She is survived by daughter, Dixie Boone of Austin, Texas; son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Sherry Jenkins, Johnson City, Texas; daughter-in-laws, Dorothy Jenkins, Malvern, Arkansas and Judy Jenkins, Lago Vista, Texas; brother, Robert Keeton, Austin, Texas; numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

Visitation honoring Emelyn M. Jenkins was held at Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Funeral Home, 6300 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749 on May 12, 2009 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Services were held at Cook-Walden Forest Oaks Funeral Home 6300 W. William Cannon Drive, Austin, Texas 78749 on May 13, 2009 at 10 a.m.

Burial: Donna City Cemetery in Donna, Texas on May 15 2009.

Memorials can be made to The American Cancer Society or to the charity of your choice.

Officiating the services were Pastor Gregg Steele and Shan Jenkins- grandson

Pallbearers were Leslie Jenkins, Shan Jenkins, Cody Anderson, Scott Boone, Francis Kalina, Jordan Kalina and Aaron Kalina. Honorary pallbearer was David Jeremy Anderson.