Carolyn Muriel Jenkins

Carolyn Muriel (Kipple) Jenkins of Fordyce, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at Dallas County Medical Center in Fordyce on Sunday, 4 February 2024, at age 93 following a lengthy illness. Carolyn was born on 3 August 1930 in Fort Worth, Texas. She was the daughter of the late Howard Wells Kipple and Mary Elizabeth “Minnie” (Borders) Kipple. Carolyn grew up on the move during the Great Depression, living in various locations in Houston, Texas and on her grandfather Charles Wellington Kipple’s farm near Texarkana, Texas for much of her childhood. She moved to Mena, Arkansas in 1947 when her grandfather, Tee Elliot Borders, became sick with tuberculosis. Carolyn graduated as Valedictorian of her high school class in 1948 and worked as the church secretary at the First Baptist Church in Mena following graduation. In 1950, she married Smith Anderson Jenkins and moved to Fordyce where she worked at the Fordyce Mercantile as a bookkeeper. Carolyn was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Fordyce, teaching Sunday school and working with children for many years. She touched the lives of many children through sharing bible stories in Vacation Bible School. Carolyn was a member of the Women’s Missionary Union and the “Keenagers.” She also worked in the church’s food pantry. Carolyn enjoyed the fellowship of her church and remained a faithful member until her death.

Carolyn was a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club for many years where she served faithfully as a member and as president. She was also a long-term member of the Sesame Club where she was active in fundraising opportunities for local community needs.

From 1952 to 2003, Carolyn worked in the business that she and her husband founded, Smith’s Wholesale Company, handling the administrative tasks and managing its daily operations with a no-nonsense style. Carolyn worked tirelessly as a full partner alongside her husband to build the family business in what would be their life’s work.

Carolyn’s focus was her family, her friends, her work, and her church. She was inspired by the life of her grandmother Carrie (Rabb) Borders and used her as a model for her own life. She was a wonderful mother who was always her sons’ greatest support and champion. Carolyn enjoyed an almost lifelong friendship with Ellen Vineyard that spanned more than 70 years.

Carolyn was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Smith Anderson Jenkins. Survivors include: two sons, Robert Douglas Jenkins of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Smith Steven Jenkins of Fordyce; three grandchildren, Carrie Marie Jenkins of Fayetteville, Steven Anderson “Andy” Jenkins of Hot Springs, and Laura Ann Jenkins of Los Angeles, California; her brother, Howard Borders Kipple of Hobbs, New Mexico; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service for the family will be held at Pinecrest Cemetery in Mena, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers, friends may make a donation to the First Baptist Church in Fordyce Food Pantry or the Flower Fund.