Chris and I traveled to Fort Worth for Thanksgiving this past year. My family had a huge Thanksgiving dinner at the student center at Southwestern Adventist University. Katy and I chose to sit at the grandma table with Grandma Sullivan, Mimi, and Hazel. Katy loved Thanksgiving dinner and ate, ate, ate everything I gave her. Mimi told me we would not have to worry about Katy not eating. I visited Mimi the following Monday. We spent the morning watching Katy's baby antics.
Chris and I did not make it to Fort Worth in time to see Mimi again before she passed away. In a way, that makes me sad. At the same time, however, I am glad that my last memories of Mimi are memories of her conscious and enjoying her family. My last goodbye was a happy one.
It is always sad to lose someone special, but it is especially hard now that I have a child. I remember an incident several years ago when my mom started to cry while talking about her dad, someone who died when I was very young. My mom said that she was sad because her children never knew her dad. I now understand the sadness my mom was trying to express. Katy will have no memories of Mimi, a person I so dearly wanted Katy to know. I will tell Katy about her great grandma, but the stories will always remain impersonal and unemotional to her. This is what I grieve the most.
Below is Mimi's life story, which I wrote for her memorial service. Treasure your time with your loved ones, because time is a gift from God.
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| My favorite picture of Mimi and I. |
Mimi's Life Story
Helen Maxine Jenkins was born on November 18, 1930, in Desoto Parish, Louisiana, to W.C. and Hallie Whitten. She was the oldest of seven children. She attended Jefferson Adventist Academy. At the age of 16, she left home and headed to New Mexico. At the time, she lacked half a credit from receiving her diploma at Jefferson Academy.
Helen settled in Artesia, New Mexico, where she met her future husband, Dennis Jenkins, while waiting tables. Dennis and Helen married on July 10, 1950. They spent 34 happy years together before Dennis tragically died in an oil field accident on January 23, 1985.
Dennis and Helen raised four daughters in Artesia, Virginia "Jenny," Sarah Denise, Brenda Geraldine "Jerri," and Lynda Kaye. While Dennis worked in the oilfields, Helen raised her daughters, babysat children in the community, and used her talented sewing skills to sew clothes for the public. Helen also enjoyed sewing for her girls, who were dressed for special occasions in matching, homemade dresses.
When Helen’s daughters grew older, Helen began working at the Sears counter in Artesia. Helen spent many years standing behind that counter all day in her high heels.
In 1977, Helen’s daughter Denise gave birth to her first grandbaby, Matthew Hickey, and Helen became Mimi. Matt was the first of Helen’s 11 grandchildren, and 8 great grandchildren, whom she loved unconditionally.
In 1993, Helen moved to Crowley, Texas, to be closer to family. While living in Crowley, Helen volunteered at Harvest House and Huguley Hospital, and was a founding member of the Crowley Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Helen was the foundation of family. No matter where she lived, her house was filled with family and friends, for whom she always made hot coffee and the best banana bread and pound cake. Helen’s grandchildren loved spending a couple of weeks during the summer at Helen’s home in Artesia, playing on the swing set in the front yard, jumping on the trampoline, catching horned toads, and running around with her dog Joe Spot. Her home in Crowley was a family gathering spot, where her loved ones spent countless hours at the dining table doing puzzles and playing Skip-Bo, Scrabble, and Sequence. In 2012, she had the unique honor of celebrating her 82 birthday with her 98 year-old mother.
The love of Jesus lived in Helen’s heart. Helen always knew how to share Jesus’ love with others without condemning or judging. While living in Artesia, the nearest church was 35 miles away. Despite the long drive, she and her girls never missed church and they were never late. Helen's unwavering commitment to her faith eventually led her husband Dennis to Christ, who her family knows she is eager to embrace again in Heaven. Oh, what a joyous, long-awaited reunion that will be!
Helen’s family was never limited to those related to her by blood. Her Christ-like love for others looked beyond outward appearances, past mistakes, bad habits, and cultural differences. She cared for many when no else would or could. She treated friends like family, and was the proud sister, mother, and Mimi to her adopted family members, Hazel, Teresa, and Lerin.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis, and her parents. She is survived by her siblings (Betty, Lloyd, Wesley, L.J., Paul, and Kenneth), daughters and their spouses Jenny (Kevin), Denise, Jerri (Kim), and Lynda (Lonnie); eleven grandchildren (Matt, Sam, Katie, Kimberly, Sara, Casey, Denise, Travis, Kelly, Dennis, and Dylan), eight great granddaughters (Addison, Riley, Elayna, Ashlyn, Kaylie, Hallie, Katy, and Lakynn), and her first great grandson on the way.
In 2011, Helen was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. For four years she fought for her life with love, dignity, and a smile on her face. Helen passed away in the early morning hours of December 12, 2015. Her passing was what we all hope for: peaceful, at home, surrounded by all of her children, with Jesus in heart, and after a long, fulfilling life of love.
