Obituary

Norma Jenkins
June 18, 1921 - September 20, 2018



Mrs. Norma Paige Jenkins-mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend-died on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at Pontchartrain Health Center in Mandeville, Louisiana.  She was 97.

Norma was born in Covington, Louisiana on June 18, 1921, to Nathan and Bertha Paige.  She graduated from Bogalusa High School and began nursing training in 1939.  At age 21, she graduated from Elizabeth Sullivan Memorial Nursing School and left for Texas in 1942 as a member of the Army Nurses Corps.  Norma was then stationed to an evacuation hospital for American and Allied soldiers in Brisbane, Australia.  She was given the title of first lieutenant in the American army and presented with a medal from the Brazilian government for taking care of injured Brazilian soldiers during WWII.  Norma met and married Carlos Jenkins during her placement in Brisbane, Australia.  General MacArthur granted permission for them to marry on July 17, 1944.  Following the war, Carlos and Norma returned home to Bogalusa, Louisiana to begin their lives together.

She enjoyed being active as a lifelong member of the Bogalusa Presbyterian church and her community.  Wednesday Prayer breakfast was one of her favorite events of the week. With many great stories to tell, she was a proud veteran. She loved needle work, traveling around the world, and cooking.  In her kitchen, she was best known for her delicious pralines and divinity candy.

Norma will be remembered for her service, strength, kindness, generosity, faith, and sense of humor.  Her heart was made to love and serve.  She was an animated story teller and her laughter was contagious.  She was a petite woman in size, but full of life, spunk, and spirit.

She is survived by her daughter Gina Talley of Covington, Louisiana; one grandson Nick (Sarah) Jenkins of Carmel, Indiana; two granddaughters Kellie (John) Hohenshelt of Rockwall, Texas and Hillary (Scott) Eberhart of Monroe, Louisiana; and her great-grandchildren Ashlyn Hohenshelt, John Carlos “J.C.” Hohenshelt, Caroline Jenkins, Alexandria Jenkins, and Emily Jenkins.

Norma was preceded in death by her husband Carlos Jenkins and her son Carlos “Kent” Jenkins.

On September 23, 2018, a visitation will be held from 12:30 pm to 3 o’clock followed by the funeral service at 3 o’clock at the Poole-Ritchie Funeral Home with Rev. Grant McElveen officiating.

Interment to follow at Ponemah Cemetery.