NAGS HEAD – Jenny Beecher Cooke Jenkins of Nags Head, North Carolina and formerly of “The Cabin,” in Aulander, North Carolina, died on June 20, 2017 at Sentara Hospital, Norfolk, Virginia after a brief illness. She was the wife of Joseph Henry Jenkins and they would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 24, 2017.

She was born in Aulander and was the daughter of the late Oliver Beecher Cooke and Jessie Mae Dunning Cooke. Her grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. John Cooke and Mr. and Mrs. Godwin Dunning, all of Aulander.

Mrs. Jenkins graduated from Aulander High School, Louisburg College, and East Carolina College (University), earning both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Education. She spent her professional career teaching in the Hertford County school system as both a teacher and later a supervisor. Additionally, Mrs. Jenkins taught in the Virginia Beach, Virginia, Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina and Pompano Beach, Florida school systems.

Jenny was a gifted painter who was involved in many civic organizations and charitable causes in Dare County and the Roanoke-Chowan area. She enjoyed playing tennis, jogging, skiing, singing and entertaining. Her big “porch party” in Nags Head was a tradition during the Labor Day weekends. She and her husband traveled extensively, spending winters in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Mrs. Jenkins was a member of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Ahoskie, North Carolina and attended St. Andrews by the Sea Episcopal Church, Nags Head. A long-standing member of the Friends of Historic Hope, she was chair of the ball at the Hope Plantation, celebrating the bicentennial of our country in 1976. Jenny also enjoyed dedicating time to both the Bertie County and Dare County Arts Councils.

Believing in higher education, Jenny and Joe Henry are generous supporters of the University of North Carolina and Chowan University. She remained a Tar Heel fan most of her life. Go Heels!

In addition to her parents and grandparents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Ann Cooke Rowe and her beloved feline friend, Michelle.

Along with Joe Henry, Jenny is survived by her brother-in-law, Wayland L. Jenkins, Jr. of Ahoskie and Delray Beach, Florida; dear friend Lisa Odom of Norfolk; extended family members and countless friends.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, June 22, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Ahoskie. The Rev. Jeff Douglas will be officiating. Friends are invited to join the family in the Parish Hall following the service.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jenny’s memory may be made to the Beach Food Pantry, 4007 North Croatan Hwy, Kitty Hawk, NC, 27949, the Ahoskie Food Pantry, P.O. Box 159, Ahoskie, NC, 27910 or to a charity of your choice.

Miller Funeral Home & Crematory, 735 Virginia Road, Edenton, is assisting the family with arrangements and online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.