Margaret Ethel Jenkins was born on February 17, 1941 in White Plains Hospital to the late Glen and Romenia (Jones) Jenkins. She was formerly a member of Bethel Baptist Church and was raised in a Christian home with loving parents. She received her education in the White Plains public schools and graduated in 1959.
During high school and shortly after graduation, Margaret was employed in the Clerical Department of Reader’s Digest in Pleasantville, New York. However, when Margaret started her retail career at Alexander’s, she found her true vocation. Nicknamed the “Queen of Retail” by family members, she would spend the remainder of her working years in retail in White Plains, at Alexander’s for more than fifteen years, then at JCPenney’s for many additional years, culminating with her final seven years of employment at Nordstrom. Margaret loved fashion and loved assisting customers to make good decisions. She was honored for excellence at JCPenney’s and was a top biller in each department she worked because she easily connected with people, and always extended herself beyond customary expectations. Margaret retired from Nordstrom in 2009.
Margaret maintained lifetime friendships, one for over fifty years. When we asked her oldest friend Clara what sustained their relationship through the years, she responded that Margaret accepted people for who they were; she was never judgmental. She was fun to be with and extremely loyal. Margaret loved to travel and traveled extensively with friends and family in Canada, the Caribbean islands, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and throughout the United States. She loved to laugh, tell and listen to engaging stories, and her broad smile always brightened your day. Anyone who knew Margaret knew how much she loved to people watch. She and her special group of lady friends would spend hours chatting outside in the community. With her living room window perfectly aligned with the Federal Courthouse, she needed only to pull up a chair to eagerly watch the proceedings of high-profile cases.
Upon retiring, Margaret participated in the Diane Senior Drop-In Center at Slater Center in White Plains. She enjoyed fellowshipping with other seniors, the trips to the movies, and all of the wonderful events hosted at the Center and throughout Westchester County.
Known as “Aunt Margaret” or “Auntie Margaret” to much of the family, she, like her sister Dolly, was a keeper of the family history. She loved her family and looked forward to participating in every family gathering, especially the reunions.
Margaret departed this life on July 30, 2019. She was predeceased by her parents, her sister Romenia (“Dolly”) (Jenkins) Covington, and her brothers-in-law, Harold Lyde, Sr. and Benjamin Covington. Margaret leaves to cherish her memory, her sister Elease (Jenkins) Lyde, her nieces, Donna Lyde and Vikki (Covington) Latta, her nephews Harold Lyde, Jr. and Allan (“Jeff”) Latta, Sr., her great nephews Matthew Lyde-Cajuste and Allan (“AJ”) Latta, Jr., her great niece India Latta, and a host of beloved cousins, especially Jane Westry and Marie Warren, and wonderful friends.
“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever” Psalm 23:6
The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the family of Margaret Jenkins entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the family of Margaret Jenkins during their time of bereavement.
If you're sending flowers, they may be delivered either on Thursday August 8th, 2019 by/before 6:00pm to Lee's Funeral Home, or Friday, Aug. 9th by/before 9:30pm, latest, to Bethel Baptist Church.