Obituary of Rhoda P Jenkins

Rhoda “Peggy” Harriet Pierce Jenkins, 94, passed away peacefully at home on January 31, 2024. Peggy was born on February 4, 1929 to Rhoda and Edward Pierce in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. As a child, Peggy, along with her brothers Pat and Frank, had a fun childhood, despite having grown up during The Depression. In the summers, they stayed at a log cabin near Bridgeton, New Jersey and spent much time playing outside with family and friends, and they particularly loved going swimming. As a teenager, she attended West Philadelphia High School, where she was very social and had a loyal friend group. In the fall of 1946, Peggy enrolled at Cheyney University. While at Cheyney, she continued to be quite social and made new friends, becoming a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the commuters club, modern dance, and she was on the Homecoming court. She graduated in 1950, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. Shortly after, she began her career as a teacher in the Philadelphia school system. In 1951, she met Frederick Jenkins, the great love of her life. They married in 1952 and had four children, Frederick Jr. (Ricky), Robert (Bobby), Marilyn and David. After living in Philadelphia for several years, in 1963, the family moved to Lawnside, New Jersey. Freddy worked as a purchase agent at the Philadelphia Naval Yard and Peggy continued teaching in Philadelphia before becoming a teacher at Lawnside Public School, where she taught many who still think of her fondly as one of their favorite teachers. After a few years, Peggy returned to teaching in Philadelphia before retiring in 1984. Peggy and Freddy were known for entertaining family and friends and loved having parties outside in the backyard during summer, where they barbecued, played cards and made homemade ice cream. They spent fifty-one loving years of marriage together before Freddy passed away in 2003. Peggy was an amazing cook and baker, and she always had sweet treats ready for family and friends. She was especially known for her delicious pound cake. She loved to garden, which was a talent that she learned from her parents. She enjoyed traveling and went on cruises and bus trips with the Lawnside senior citizens group to places like the Barbados, the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Florida, and Georgia. She also liked to visit Atlantic City and walk on the boardwalk and eat salt water taffy. Peggy was very popular and dearly loved by many. On birthdays and holidays, her phone constantly rang with calls from family and friends wanting to say hello and wish her well. She was a loving and attentive grandmother and could always be counted on for a sweet hug and kiss. Later in life, she loved spending time sitting in her favorite chair in the den, watching westerns and drinking tea. Peggy was a lifelong Christian Scientist, and for many years, she was an active member of the Haddon Heights, New Jersey branch. Peggy was preceded by her parents Rhoda and Edward Pierce, her husband Freddy and her brothers Pat and Frank. Peggy is survived by her four children, Frederick Jr., Robert (Edwina), Marilyn (Michael), David (Sherié), sister in law Lois, nephew Ellis, grandchildren Steven, Matthew, Robert Jr., Déja, Kristina, Tyler, Deshae and Kelly, one great grandchild Persephone, and many more nieces and nephews. Peggy was a loving, accomplished and remarkable woman, and she will be dearly missed.