Wimphrey W Jenkins

July 10, 1935- September 30, 2021 A SHERO is a woman whom displays strong heroic traits under tremendous pressure and is triumphant over her circumstances. A SHERO is a Woman who is an active giver, an example of what is possible, and a brilliant inspiration to people of all ages. I believe that SHEROS are women that have been through and triumphed over difficult experiences. SHEROS are Victors NOT Victims!!! SHEROS are everyday people, who not only support women and diversity but have strong character and abilities and are champions for success. They support, encourage and push everyone to be better. Wimphrey Williams Jenkins, A/K/A the DUTCHESS was the daughter of the late Thomas and Clara Wimphrey Williams, Sr., and the eldest of five siblings. She is a native of Newark, NJ, and a lifelong member of Union Chapel AME Church in Newark, New Jersey where the Reverend Anthony Mitchell Sr., is our pastor. She was a graduate of Central High School in Newark. As her life unfolded, Wimphrey conducted her life in a manner which reflected her devotion to family, a life of service to others, and a profound trust in God’s control over her life. She has served in many areas of the church beginning with Sunday school and the Allen Christian Endeavor (ACE) League. She became a Church Trustee at 19 years of age. She and her late husband of almost 62 years John Jenkins moved to Vauxhall in 1960 where they created a home, filled with love, laughter, food and fun. Their hearts and home were always open to a plethora of family and friends in need of a meal or shelter. Their adventures took them throughout the United States, five continents and they frequently traveled to several African nations. She and John were early norther supporters of Dr., Martin Luther King, Jr. They were Pan Africanist and Civil Rights activists, who participated in the historic March on Washington and numerous other protest activities during the Civil rights era. Following his assassination, she took her children and other family members to Washington, DC to participate in the “Poor People’s March.” Wimphrey, was present at the invention of Kwanza. She helped lead the effort to desegrate the Union Public Schools. In 2002, her testimony before a NJ Senate Legislative Committee led to Juneteenth being recognized in the State of New Jersey. They reared their four sons Jay, Jerraune, Jermel, and Jeoffrey in a home rooted in the Christian values of giving honor, obedience and service to God. Her subsequent religious, civic, community and professional activities are as follows: CHURCH LOCAL LELVEL · Member of Youth and Senior Choirs · Chairperson for Women’s Day ( 19 years of age) · Member, Secretary and Parliamentarian of the Mary B. Austin Women’s Missionary Society · Member and President of the Local Lay Organization · Chairperson of the Capital Improvement Committee for extensive renovation of the church · Chairperson of the L NEWARK DISTRICT/AREA LEVEL Legacy Committee · Member, Secretary and Vice-Chair of the Board of Trustees Established and organized a non-profit agency – Project FAITH (Families Acquiring Information on HIV/AIDS) in Newark, New Jersey; Presiding Elder district. Under her direction, Project FAITH evolved into a statewide agency, now known as the New Jersey Human Development Corporation. CONFERENCE LEVEL · Chairperson of the Budget and Financial Estimate Committee of the New Jersey Conference Branch Women’s Missionary Society · Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the New Jersey Human Development Corporation · Chairperson of the Proposed Legislation Committee for the New Jersey Conference Lay Organization FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LEVEL · Chairperson of the Proposed Legislation Committee of the 1st Episcopal District Lay Organization · Member of the Self-Help Board of Directors for the 1st Episcopal District · Member of the Executive Board of the 1st Episcopal District women’s Missionary Society · Traveled four times to South Africa under the Stewardship of Bishops Frank C. Cummings (twice), Philip R. Cousin and Mr. Jesse Burns, President of the Connectional Lay Organization · Chairperson of the Martha C. Cummings Child Development Center Committee; responsible for leading the effort in the 1 st District to plan and encourage the building of the first-class Martha C. Cummings Child Development Center in Zwede, South Africa in the 15th Episcopal District served by Bishop Robert Thomas. CONNECTIONAL LEVEL · Serves as the Vice Chair of the Proposed Legislation Committee for the Executive Board of the Connectional Lay Organization · Member Board of Trustees Payne Theological Seminary · Attended every General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church since 1976. · Delegate to the General Conferences in 1996 and 2004. PROFESSIONAL · Retired from the Union County Department of Human Services as the coordinator of the Division of Employment and Training Programs; supervised 107 employees including: teachers, vocational counselors, case managers, clerical and maintenance staff, who provided services to Union County residents · · Fiscal Manager for the Union Chapel Community Development Corporation · Executive Secretary and Founding Board Member of the Union Township Community Action Organization, Inc. · Founding Board Member of the Union County Community Action Organization. COMMUNITY · Member, Union Township Library Board of Directors · Member, Union County United Way’s Allocations Committee · Cofounder & President of the Jeanette Shell Scholarship Board · Member, Overlook Hospital’s Advisory Board · Member · Vauxhall Health Center Board · Member · Union Township Community Development Corporation · · Member, Concerned Citizens of Vauxhall & Vicinity · Member, Washington Rock Girl Scout Leaders Council · · Member of the All-American Cities Committee, which was successful in Union Township being designated as an All-American City · Fiscal Officer Union Chapel Community Development Corporation ACADEMIA AND AFFILIATIONS · Graduate of the Newark, New Jersey Public School System · Life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) · Member of the National Council of Negro · Member of the International Black Women’s Congress · Received many certificates of merit in counseling, business, finance, and case management, from Kean and Rutgers Universities AWARDS · New Jersey Conference Women’s Missionary Society · New Jersey Conference Lay Organization · Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders, Service Award · Union County United Way Organization · Union College · Union County Division of Employment and Training Outstanding Staff Award · Jeanette Shell Scholarship Service Award · AME Church 2017 Outstanding Connectional Lay Person of the Year Wimphrey’s testament: “I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST, WHO STRENGTHENS ME.” PHILIPPIANS 4:13. Wimphrey Jenkins led a life of extraordinary courage and strength. She did not speak her convictions publicly while failing to honor them privately. She did not hold grudges but rose above resentment to reconcile with others. She was a woman of extraordinary grace and dignity sent to us by God “for such a time as this.” On Thursday, September 30, 2021, at Overlook Hospital, in Summit, NJ, Wimphrey Williams Jenkins exchanged life for eternity and was enfolded in the loving arms of God. Predeceased by her parents Clara and Thomas Williams, Sr. and - sisters: Peggy Lena Williams Jenkins(Stiley) , and Emma Clarice Williams Clemons, brother: Thomas Williams Jr.,(Alma Jean), Wimphrey leaves behind to cherish and continue her legacy , four devoted sons, Jay Thomas Jenkins, (Vicki ) West Orange , NJ, Jerraune Wimphrey Jenkins, Sr. (Teressa), Springfield , NJ, Jermel Jonathan Jenkins, Sr., Vaux Hall, NJ, (Crystal) and Jeoffrey Sebastian Jenkins, (Pamela) Atlanta, GA; nine grandchildren: Monique S.S. Mitchell ( Steven), Jai M.A. Jenkins (Leslie), Jazmyne Y. Jenkins, Jermel J. Jr. (Antonette), Janelcia C. Gilliam ( Jarrod), Jade T. J. Jenkins, Jerraune W. Jenkins, Jr., Jeoffrey W.E. Jenkins, and Jaedon L E. Jenkins and great grandfather of Monáe A. Mitchell. Additionally, she is survived by her sister Ruby Williams Baskerville (Clifton, T. Sr.), and his in- laws Alice Wilson, and - Jennie Jenkins {Edward}, and William Martin Clemons, III., her Goddaughters, Dena D. Glover, and Kasoundra Elizabeth Clemons and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends. Respectfully Submitted, The Family