Millie Jenkins

Through times of war and times of peace, times of hardship and times of plenty, Millie Jenkins lived with a faithful heart. A gentle and caring yet serious woman, she found joy and contentment in the family and friendships she adored. In as much as she gave, Millie was loved abundantly and will be deeply missed.

Millie's story began during a time of great change in the U.S. Jazz music blossomed, and women won the right to vote. The year 1923 in particular marked many firsts for America. The Walt Disney Company was founded, insulin became available for diabetics, and a vaccine for the whooping cough was developed. Yet nestled in the quiet community of Douglass, Kansas, William Robert and Mary Myrtle (Woodward) Wells found much to be thankful for on June 25, 1923 when they welcomed, their first child, Mildred Eileen, into their arms.

The oldest of four, "Millie" as she was affectionately called, later welcomed younger siblings, Betty, Norman, and Edward. Millie's family made their home throughout the states of Kansas and Texas as her father's job as a pump master on various fields for Sinclair Oil Company found them relocating often. Unfortunately, these frequent moves throughout Millie's formative years created some instability in childhood. However, while in the sixth grade her family settled in Alden, Kansas, and Millie was quite happy there. She made numerous friends, and participated in school and sporting events. As a family of faith, they were always active in the church which was also a treasured part of Millie's social activities.

Before long, Millie's family settled in Chase, Kansas where she went on to graduate in 1942. She dated a young man with plans to marry, but following their broken engagement, Millie decided to further her education. In September of 1943, after her family moved to Texas, she enrolled at Abilene Christian College in Abilene, Texas. While in school she worked several part-time jobs to help with expenses, and successfully completed her freshman year.

While working in the canteen at Dyess Air Force Base just outside Abilene, Millie met a young man named John Drag. Following a three month courtship, they were married on October 16, 1944, and they were blessed with four children, Jeanette, Donald, Jamie, and David. In 1946, they later to the south side of Chicago, Illinois where over the years Millie worked in a factory and as a nurse's aide at a nearby hospital. In 1959, Millie realized her lifelong dream when she completed her education and became a licensed cosmetologist.

With most of her children grown and with lives of their own, it was in 1968 when Millie and her youngest child, David, moved back to Texas. However, breaking into the cosmetology field in a new area proved to be quite challenging. It was then that Millie decided to pursue a career in nursing. In 1970, she earned her credentials as a licensed practical nurse and it proved to be a very rewarding career for Millie. Over the years, Millie worked in hospitals in Dallas, Texas, Elkhart, Indiana, and in Three Rivers, Michigan. Later in her career she worked primarily as a private duty nurse, continuing to do so until she was 80.

In 1977, Millie moved to Elkhart, Indiana to be near her daughter, Jeanette and her family. Due to that fateful move, love was not lost for Millie. While attending a meeting of "Parents Without Partners," Millie met Robert "Bob" Jenkins. Millie truly believed she had finally found the "man of her dreams," and after a whirlwind courtship, the couple was married on November 25, 1978 at the Willowdale Church of Christ in Elkhart.

Millie and Bob were the greatest of companions and were very happy together. Millie loved to travel, especially with her family and Bob. For several summers they enjoyed a Christian gathering each year in North Carolina, and quite often, several members of the Portage Church of Christ also participated in the retreat. Millie loved her Christian associations at the meetings as well as the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. In time, Millie and Bob came to make Kalamazoo, Michigan their home. Together they also enjoyed trips to Mackinaw Island, Mt. Rushmore, the Black Hills, and Washington, D.C. Despite the beauty and awe of those magnificent places, her favorite trips included visiting her children and traveling to see her father and siblings.

Millie knew her way around the kitchen. Throughout the years she enjoyed preparing special meals for her family, especially to celebrate family events. She recognized the value of bringing her family together, and treasured these times. Millie also enjoyed dining out. In recent years, she loved going to Old Country Buffet; as well as outings with Croyal and Dina Stinnett to McDonald's after evening worship services. In the fall, Millie was sure to seek out pumpkin pie as the "specialty of the season."

Sadly, Millie's beloved Bob passed from this life on December 25, 2006. It was especially difficult during the holiday, and days thereafter, but Millie drew on her faith and the love of family and friends. She had a serious demeanor about her, but her caring nature and the goodness she radiated naturally drew others to her side. In the many places she lived throughout her life, Millie was given the gift of having made many dear friends. Her dearest friend from her youth was Mary Ella, whose friendship she treasured until Mary Ella's untimely passing at the age of 42. They were extremely close, and no one knew Millie quite like her dear friend. When Mary Ella died, Millie felt as if she had lost a piece of her heart.

Millie's Christian friendships were also very dear to her. They were a source of strength and encouragement during her difficult days, especially Edith Hayes from Chicago who was a great help to her. Millie continued to have a good relationship with John Drag's large, extended family. She was well loved by them, which she truly appreciated. With her cosmetology skills, Millie never hesitated sharing her talent with family members and friends as it was a way for her to give back.

A woman devoted to her faith, family, and friends, Millie Jenkins lived by grace through times of hardship and struggle. Those who knew and loved her were a source of unending strength upon whom she could rely, and in them she found blessings. A special woman in the hearts of many and with lasting memories to be forever cherished, Millie will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

Mildred Eileen "Millie" Jenkins, age 91, passed from this life on Sunday, November 30, 2014 in Indianapolis, IN. Members of her family include her children: Jeanette (David) Tabb, Indianapolis, IN; Donald (Margaret) Drag, Glenview, IL; Jamie Drag, Glenview, IL; David (Holla) Drag, Constantine, MI; eight grandchildren, one sister and two brothers. Along with her husband, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Jeremy Lee Drag.

Memorial services for Millie will be held at 11:00 a.m. ,Thursday, December 4, 2014, at the Portage Church of Christ, 6385 S. 12th Street, where her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Millie’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a favorite memory or photo and sign her guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to the Portage Church of Christ. Arrangements by Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler, 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900.