Willie Mae Jenkins

Mrs. Willie Mae Jenkins entered eternal rest after nearly a century of faith, love, and service. Born Willie Mae Rogers on September 20, 1926, in Atlanta, Georgia, she was the only child of the late Alonzo "A.R." Rogers and Rachael Humphrey Rogers. As an only child, Willie Mae was deeply loved and cherished by both of her parents. From an early age, she witnessed firsthand what it meant to build a life of purpose, faith, and service. Her father was more than a successful businessman. Through his ownership of Rogers Cab Company on Angier Avenue in Atlanta, she watched him build a respected business that served the Atlanta community with pride and integrity. She spent many days at the family café adjoining the cab company, where she observed her parents warmly welcome neighbors, friends, and customers. Without realizing it, she was learning the values of hospitality, generosity, hard work, and caring for others that would later become the hallmark of her own life. Her parents' influence extended far beyond their business. The Rogers family was deeply rooted in the church, and because of her parents' faithful service, Willie Mae spent much of her childhood there as well. Deacon Alonzo Rogers faithfully served as Church, Clerk, Treasurer, and Chairman of the Trustee Board at Little Friendship Baptist Church, demonstrating that serving God was not simply something to do on Sundays, but a lifelong commitment. Alongside him, Rachael faithfully served as a Church Mother, ministering with wisdom, compassion, and grace while creating a Christian home where faith was lived every day. Together, they modeled a life of servant leadership, unwavering faith, and unconditional love. Watching her parents faithfully serve both their church and their community shaped the woman Willie Mae would become. They gave her an inheritance far greater than material possessions. They gave her a legacy of faith, service, compassion, integrity, hospitality, and love for family, a legacy she faithfully carried forward throughout her own life and passed on to generations that followed. As Willie Mae grew into a young woman, she continued to build upon the strong foundation her parents had established. She attended school in Atlanta and proudly graduated from high school, carrying with her the values of faith, hard work, and service that had been instilled in her since childhood. Equipped with those lessons and a heart devoted to God and family, she was prepared for the next chapter of her life. It was at Rogers Café the Rogers family business that Willie Mae met the love of her life, Thomas Jenkins Sr. Willie Mae fondly recalled that one day Thomas stepped out from the bushes near the café, introduced himself to her, and the rest, as they say, was history. What began as an unexpected meeting blossomed into a lifelong love story rooted in faith, commitment, and devotion. On July 20, 1944, Willie Mae and Thomas were united in holy matrimony, beginning a marriage built on faith, perseverance, and unconditional love. On that very same day, Thomas answered the call to serve his country by entering the United States Army during World War II. Their marriage began during a season of sacrifice and uncertainty, yet their commitment to one another never wavered. Following Thomas's military service, the young couple began building their life together. While living in Atlanta, Willie Mae gave birth to their first four children: Charlotte, Thomas Jr., Alonzo David, and Angelo. The family later relocated to Florida, where they welcomed Zackery and Antoine into the world. A few years later, they returned to Atlanta where they settled permanently, building a home centered on a firm godly foundation and a spirit of true community. Willie Mae was, first and foremost, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and homemaker, believing her greatest calling was caring for the family God had entrusted to her. When Thomas was diagnosed with cancer, Willie Mae lovingly cared for him with extraordinary compassion and unwavering devotion. She remained faithfully by his side throughout his illness until the Lord called him home, living out the vows she made decades earlier "in sickness and in health." Her quiet strength and selfless love became one of the defining examples of her life. The family homes on Ralph McGill Boulevard and Wylie Street became gathering places where holidays were celebrated, birthdays were remembered, stories were shared, and generations of children and grandchildren experienced the warmth of her love. Those homes became more than addresses. Her home was always filled with love, laughter, home-cooked meals, prayer, and an open door for family and friends. They became places of refuge, laughter, prayer, and the foundation of countless family memories where everyone always felt welcomed. In addition to caring for her own family, Willie Mae faithfully served others. She worked as a maid for a number of years, caring for another family with the same dedication she showed in her own home. She also devoted many years of volunteer service through the Foster Grandparent Program at Georgia Regional Hospital, where her nurturing spirit touched the lives of countless children. Her commitment to helping and uplifting others earned her recognition as Volunteer of the Century, an honor that reflected the compassion, humility, and servant's heart that defined her life. A woman of unwavering faith, Willie Mae grew up at Little Friendship Baptist Church and later became a faithful member of Holy Temple Deliverance Church. She believed faith was meant to be lived every day, and she made it her mission to ensure her children and grandchildren knew the Lord. Through her prayers, encouragement, and example, she planted seeds of faith that continue to flourish throughout her family today. She leaves to cherish her precious memory her devoted sons: Angelo Jenkins Sr. (Sharon), Zackery Jenkins Sr. (Linda), and Antoine Jenkins Sr. (the late Deborah); her beloved grandchildren: Thomas III, Alonzo David Jr., Tedrick, Angelo Jr., Tawasha, Thomarcus, Angela, Delrick, Thomashea, Angelo III, Zackery Jr., Antoine Jr., and Amber; a host of treasured great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and countless friends whose lives were blessed by her kindness, wisdom, and steadfast faith. During her later years, Willie Mae resided at Branan Towers, where she continued to brighten the lives of those around her with her kindness, warm smile, and gentle spirit. She especially treasured the companionship of her dear friend, the late Mr. Leo, whose friendship brought joy, laughter, and comfort. Mrs. Jenkins was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas Jenkins Sr.; her children: Charlotte Butler (the late David), Thomas Jenkins Jr. (Sarah), and Alonzo David Jenkins Sr. (the late Vicki); her beloved granddaughter, Wykeisha Jenkins; and her cherished companion, Mr. Leo. Mrs. Willie Mae Jenkins leaves behind an enduring legacy of devotion, grace, and leadership that will echo through generations. Across nearly a full century, she seized every opportunity to uplift others, share wisdom, and shape the community around her. Though her earthly journey concluded just shy of her milestone 100th birthday, her extraordinary life remains a story worthy of rich celebration. One of Willie Mae's wishes was to see her life recognized in the newspaper as she approached her 100th birthday. While she may not have lived to hold that newspaper in her hands, today we honor that dream in a special way. May these pages serve as our family's front-page tribute to a remarkable woman whose life was truly newsworthy. Her love, wisdom, faith, and quiet strength shaped generations, and her story will continue to be told each time her family gathers, prays, laughs, and remembers the remarkable woman she was. "Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:28

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Willie Mae Jenkins

September 20, 1926 - July 18, 2026