Born on August 9th, 1930, Grace was the 5th child of George and Lillian Mills.

‘Peeta’ as she was affectionately called, attended White Plains High School in White Plains, NY. Grace fell in love and married William (Bobby) Jenkins in 1958, and enjoyed 55 years of marriage. Together, they raised their daughter, Michelle Jenkins-Parker, their pride and joy.

Grace spent time in Arizona following high school, but returned to White Plains, and worked for AT&T. She eventually joined the staff of Westchester Community College as a telephone operator, where she found joy in coming to work every day for the past 45 years.

At 83 years old, she refused to retire. When asked why, she often said, “What would I do at home? At work I am surrounded by friends”. But the family knew there was another reason you see, Grace thought of herself as the VOICE of Westchester Community College. Or as she put it, she was “top dog” and she was. Sorry Dr. Hankin.
Family and friends will sadly miss Grace’s smiling voice, for not only was she the voice of Westchester Community College it was the guiding light to all her family and friends.

When not working, Grace loved to live life to the fullest.
Full of life, Grace loved to travel, and visited many places including Mexico, Canada and the Bahamas to name a few. She loved to travel, and share good times with friends and family. When not travelling, Grace had a passion for crossword puzzles. Every day and everywhere, she did the New York Times Crossword, in pen. In fact, the first indication that she was ill was when her willingness to do the puzzle ceased.
A longtime resident of White Plains, NY, she was a member and supporter of the Bethel Baptist Church for decades.

She was predeceased by her four siblings: Eva Ivy, Dorothy (Ann) Whaley, Minnie Walden and Albert (Booby) Mills. Her final days were spent surrounded by her loving family.
Grace (Peeta) Jenkins, 83, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 24, 2013 after a short battle with cancer.

Left to continue her legacy, she is survived by her husband William Jenkins, her daughter Michelle Jenkins-Parker and husband Leon Parker, her grandchildren Andre deLeon, Tara Parker, Brian Parker and wife Ayeshah, Jason Parker and wife Adriana. Grace is also survived by the newest member of the family, her great grandchild Cairo Parker. Grace was a devoted surrogate grandmother to Donya Smith and wife Francine, DaVonn Jefferson and Janay Brunson.

Dignified, witty, prudent, a good listener, and a voice of reason, she will be dearly missed by her family and countless friends whose lives she touched.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to Bethel Baptist Church Children and Youth Ministry, 1 Fisher Court, White Plains, New York 10601.

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