Born July 18, 1909 in Ava Oma B. Jenkins was born July 18, 1909 in Ava, to J. J. “Josh” and Mattie (Mitchell) Thompson. She graduated from Ava High School with a first grade teacher’s certificate.
Having two years of teacher’s training, she graduated from Southwest Baptist College and finished her education at Southwest Missouri State Teachers College. She taught 16 terms of school in the Douglas County school system, teaching her first and last term at the same school her mother taught.
She was clerk and treasurer of the Douglas-Ozark Baptist Association for 10 years and correspondent from the Black Oak District to the Douglas County Herald for 24 years. She married Dee S. Jenkins, a former classmate, April 15, 1933.
They operated a dairy farm near Ava for 24 years, before moving to Tulsa, Okla. in 1957 to join Dee’s brother, A. W. “Sunny” Jenkins, as vice-president and maintenance supervisor of Rocket Freight Lines.
Their daughter, Donna Dee is a graduate of the University of Tulsa with a major in music. She is married to a schoolmate from Tulsa University.
Oma was a member of the Braden Heights Baptist Church (formerly White City Baptist Church) where she was a member of the choir. She was presented an award from White City Baptist Church for teaching the Ruth Sunday School Class for 23 years and conferred on her the title of “Teacher Emeritus.”
Oma was the oldest living Thompson and Mitchell niece, nephew and cousin.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Dee S. Jenkins; three brothers and a host of cousins and friends. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Donna Dee and Gerald Wade and grandson, Nathan Wade.
A funeral service was held 10 a.m., Tuesday, Braden Heights Baptist Church with graveside committal at 11:30 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, friends may contribute to Trinity Hospice or Braden Heights Baptist Church.
